After checking in and getting my seat-- I've got an aisle seat this time-- I walked around the terminal for a while, then headed through security and customs. My habit is to take off all metal and electronics, and put them in my bag before I go through the metal detectors; but this time they didn't do that. The guard looked at my boarding pass and passport, and the customs people stamped something, but that was it.
From customs, you go to the World's Biggest Mall and Duty Free Shop. They cleverly hide the food and drinks in back, in a long arcade that has a view of the planes. Still, despite the view, one can get thirsty looking for it. But still no additional security.
Turns out the serious security check is at the gate: that's where they have the X-ray machines, laptop inspection, etc.. Interesting how different places do things differently. In Frankfurt, I had to remove everything: wallet, Chap-Stik, Moleskine pocket-sized notebook (well, those are French). Here, it's almost like they want to give as many opportunities to spend all your money first, then search you.
[To the tune of B.B. King, "The Thrill Is Gone," from the album "Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: B.B. King".]
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