Kesher Talk

IBA radio correspondent in Florida was discussing today yesterday's security measures around Ilan Ramon, and the 180(?) members of his entourage. (BTW, the total number of Ramon's guests was around 300). Ramon's family were staying in a hotel next to the one he was in. Their hotel had no visible security. Ramon's hotel, on the other hand, was full with police throughout the building. All cars entering the parking lot were searched extensively, including sniffing dogs. But people were not searched at all. It is now cold in Orlando, and people are wearing coats. A person could carry weapons or explosives under his coat, and return to his car that was searched earlier.

The Kennedy Space Center was closed to the general public, with F-16s flying overhead, ships and terrain vehicles patrolling the coast, etc. Journalists were admitted to the observation deck, along with families and VIPs. None of the big heavy equipment bags they usually carry with them were searched for items that may have been put in those bags without their knowledge.

And a more benign detail: Israeli VIPs, such as the head of Israel's space agency, were accompanied at all times by two policemen. If they were not, how many people would have been able to recognize them?
Anyway, everything went without incident, thank god. Ilan is up there, and, as someone correctly put it, every Israeli is now up there with him.

posted by Alisa InWonderland @ 1/17/2003 10:27:24 AM