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Off tomorrow again on a quick business trip to Tel Aviv, Israel most of my working career I have spent traveling to some far flung place in the world, but the older I get the more I dread such trips. I guess I am getting to the point in life were you start to think about the fact that something bad could happen in my younger years of travel that never crossed my mind just wondering if any of you out there have the same thoughts even on short trips at home.

Not really...than again I'm only 28 and while my job requires extensive travel I don't give "bad" thoughts much credence. I look at it this way...I could die at any moment regardless of where I am or what I'm doing. Rather than worry about it I try to make the most of every day.

Enjoy the trip. Few people get to see the world as you probably have. One thing I found interesting in a recent book was that ANYONE (government dignitaries excluded) with a passport stamped for Isreal is not permitted to enter the United Arab Emirates.

I travel a couple of times a month. In the last 2 weeks, it's been from Portland, OR to Boca Raton, FL. Granted, I don't travel across the big pond (except for fun), but, personally, I love it. I view it as an opportunity...it sure beats 100% office time. I'd go nuts.

I feel the real danger zone is I-40 enroute to the Nashville Airport.

IMO the older you get the more "mortal" you become.

I feel in danger all the time, especially in parking lots!

Of course, it's not paranoia if people really are after you.

And just because someone is not chasing you still doesn't mean that you're not paranoid.

I used to love travel. I travel almost weekly from Reno to Las Vegas for work, overnight about once or twice a month and have been doing so for about 6 years. It used to be exciting and I loved exploring Las Vegas. Now its old and after 9-11 such a hassle. The flights used to be half full. Now they are packed every trip. And like Halk, I think more and more about what bad things could happen. I feel like a cop getting close to retirement, dreading the idea that my time might be up.

On the other hand, if I had to spend all my time in the office I would go crazy.

Back in the USA safety other than a bit of jet lag the trip was very uneventful which is always good, Security in Tel Aviv was a lot tighter this time than when I was there in December. The local new was reporting a possible 70 terrorist incidents on Election Day Tuesday but nothing happen that the part of traveling to some of these countries you just never know what is going to happen. Had one minor incident at the airport on leaving had my security clearance from the company I was visiting so that I could pass the usual long security check not so lucky this time around. I had and extra tube of tooth paste in my luggage so when my checked bag was screened I got the third degree about the extra tooth paste and had a lot of explaining do to as to where I bought the tooth paste why I had the extra tube etc. I guess they thought I wanted to blow up the plane or something at least they are through about checking to make sure everyone is safe and plus I had plenty of time to kill at the airport.

It's great to have you back Halk, safe and sound! I'll bet you leave the toothpaste behind next time.

Better to give you the third degree and be thorough, than just make a show of it by having you take off your shoes or wanding little old ladies. I have to travel to Vegas and they routinely fail the TSA tests and let guys through with handguns, knives, simulated bombs, etc. If I have to wait in line, I would like to feel like it was for something worthwhile.

I could not agree more with you the TSA could take a few lessons from the Israelis on security screening I had no problem taking about 45 min. of answering questions to know that I was safe when I got on the plane. In the Tel Aviv airport there is no taking your shoes off because even before you get to gate security you have already gone through a screening process that would uncover any type explosive device or just about anything else, and it is a very simple process that does not require removing belts shoes etc and fleecing old ladies.