Out to the airport
Trip Start
Sep 02, 2007
1
15
25
Trip End
Sep 30, 2007
Bandaranaike Airport, Sri Lanka
Saturday, September 15, 2007
1- The tuktuk was searched and the driver's ID checked
2-I had to get out and walk the last 100 metres into the terminal because they didn't want the tuktuk driving right up to the building
3-My ticket and passport were checked at the entrance to the terminal
4-And once more when my bags were scanned immediately inside the door
5- Once more before entering the check-in area
6-Again when I left the check-in area after realising it was too early to check in
7-Again when it was time to check in
8-At the check in counter
9-before I entered the immigration area
10- In the duty-free area I was left alone for about an hour, and I watched the end of the Pakistan-India cricket match with some pretty excited other passengers and airport staff
11- At the departure gate my carry-on was scanned again, I had to pass through a metal detector, and my passport was checked once more
12- Halfway down the gate all the passengers had to open their carry-ons and have them inspected
13- And, finally, just before getting on the plane, everyone was subjected to a thorough frisking!
This was all conducted with a big smile and friendly chatter on the part of the officers (surprising given that it was between 12 and 3 am), but I'm fairly certain that they can tell within a second of glancing at me that I'm not a security risk. I'd hate to think what an ordeal it would have been if I looked remotely suspect to them...
