I work at an airport in an arab country where every day we pass through a separate gate to get airside to our hangar. Every body from Police, customs and immigration to hangar staff, engineers and Pilots pass through this gate. To date I have never seen an arab searched or be made to put his belongings through the x ray machine let alone even show his pass. All non arabs must do so. That is the state of affairs here, Im sure they couldn't sneak anything through under their big white dresses? But feel safe when Passing through the Middle east knowing that at least al the western ex pat air crew are not getting through with anything nasty. I don't mind putting my Bags through the ex ray and emptying my pockets so I don't beep and showing my ID, I just wish everybody had to do the same, Nothing worse than watching a whole lot of people just cruise through beeping away and not even showing ID to what's probably one or the Busiest airports in the world.
