5AM found everyone on time in the lobby of the hotel and waiting for the hotel shuttle. Some last minute instructions were followed by the short ride to the terminal. As we checked in for TAM Airlines we quickly discovered that they were weighing all of the carryon luggage…with a 20 pound limit we knew we would be well over the limit. Some quick relocating of bags behind others in line and hiding bags behind pillars got us through the check in process without one of our bags being checked. Whew! Once at
the gate we all laughed as most everyone there had carryon bags larger and more than likely more heavy than ours….smile…so much for us being so coy! We enjoyed a light breakfast as the airport café and anxiously awaited Carol’s arrival. One hour before our Sao Paolo flight was to depart a very tired lady appeared pulling her wheeled backpack behind her. THE GANG WAS COMPLETE.
After boarding TAM Airlines we once again were pleased to be on yet another beautiful and meticulously clean and well appointed wide body South American airline. The plane had coach seats a bit wider than those of the American airlines. The seats reclined back further as well. The flight was full with no empty seats in tourist class. We were immediately served a very nice breakfast with beverages. Then it was time to settle in for a nap or enjoy one of the over 50 selections of movies, TV shows, and other offerings in the included entertainment package. Four hours into the nine hour flight we were served a really nice lunch with choice of beef tips, roasted chicken, or pasta. Along with free wine and cocktails we were quickly satisfied of any hunger pains we might have experienced. Another four hours and Sao Paolo appeared on the horizon. With the three hour time frame, we were now completing the first 12 hours of our very long journey to the tip of South America.
We disembarked and headed for the terminal by transfer busses. Once inside it was through another level of security and the confiscation of Tom’s camera tripod. According to Brazilian TSA tripods are weapons. At the gate waiting for our next flight to Buenos Aires we were informed that the flight would be delayed at least two hours. It was hot, humid, and crowded, but
because the flight status changed every few minutes we were afraid to wander too far from the gate. Three hours later we were boarded on the aircraft. Already concerned that we might miss our flight to Ushuaia, two Brazilian fellows added to the unrest by complaining about the delay. They were loud and kept getting up and arguing with the flight crew. Because of the disturbance the airline would not close the doors. We kept thinking to ourselves, if we were in the US the police would have been called already and these guys would have been taken into custody. The turmoil created restlessness and many started getting up and pulling their bags out of the overhead compartments. Our group simply sat and watched the ridiculous behavioral of the Brazilians and Argentineans and wondered why the airline company was allowing this to happen.
Now four hours late and with the aircraft doors still open, the captain announced that he had exceeded the time allowed for him to fly and that the flight was canceled. We were in panic mode because we would now miss our 5:45AM flight to Ushuaia. We all left the aircraft and were transported back to the terminal and through Brazilian immigration. We were surprised that they did not check our passports, but simply checked off our names for the passenger manifest. Once in the terminal we were informed that we would be given hotel rooms and put on a noon flight to Buenos Aires the next day. We were concerned about not getting back to the airport in time and decided to sit it out in the terminal to insure departure. We settled in at a local café while Tom took off with a TAM Airline official to sort through the challenge. Two hours later he returned with good news. He was able to get us on a 10:20 flight which would get us to Buenos Aires in time to catch one of two flights on another airline that would get us to Ushuaia. TAM Airlines agreed to pay for the new flights.
the gate we all laughed as most everyone there had carryon bags larger and more than likely more heavy than ours….smile…so much for us being so coy! We enjoyed a light breakfast as the airport café and anxiously awaited Carol’s arrival. One hour before our Sao Paolo flight was to depart a very tired lady appeared pulling her wheeled backpack behind her. THE GANG WAS COMPLETE.
After boarding TAM Airlines we once again were pleased to be on yet another beautiful and meticulously clean and well appointed wide body South American airline. The plane had coach seats a bit wider than those of the American airlines. The seats reclined back further as well. The flight was full with no empty seats in tourist class. We were immediately served a very nice breakfast with beverages. Then it was time to settle in for a nap or enjoy one of the over 50 selections of movies, TV shows, and other offerings in the included entertainment package. Four hours into the nine hour flight we were served a really nice lunch with choice of beef tips, roasted chicken, or pasta. Along with free wine and cocktails we were quickly satisfied of any hunger pains we might have experienced. Another four hours and Sao Paolo appeared on the horizon. With the three hour time frame, we were now completing the first 12 hours of our very long journey to the tip of South America.
We disembarked and headed for the terminal by transfer busses. Once inside it was through another level of security and the confiscation of Tom’s camera tripod. According to Brazilian TSA tripods are weapons. At the gate waiting for our next flight to Buenos Aires we were informed that the flight would be delayed at least two hours. It was hot, humid, and crowded, but
because the flight status changed every few minutes we were afraid to wander too far from the gate. Three hours later we were boarded on the aircraft. Already concerned that we might miss our flight to Ushuaia, two Brazilian fellows added to the unrest by complaining about the delay. They were loud and kept getting up and arguing with the flight crew. Because of the disturbance the airline would not close the doors. We kept thinking to ourselves, if we were in the US the police would have been called already and these guys would have been taken into custody. The turmoil created restlessness and many started getting up and pulling their bags out of the overhead compartments. Our group simply sat and watched the ridiculous behavioral of the Brazilians and Argentineans and wondered why the airline company was allowing this to happen.
Now four hours late and with the aircraft doors still open, the captain announced that he had exceeded the time allowed for him to fly and that the flight was canceled. We were in panic mode because we would now miss our 5:45AM flight to Ushuaia. We all left the aircraft and were transported back to the terminal and through Brazilian immigration. We were surprised that they did not check our passports, but simply checked off our names for the passenger manifest. Once in the terminal we were informed that we would be given hotel rooms and put on a noon flight to Buenos Aires the next day. We were concerned about not getting back to the airport in time and decided to sit it out in the terminal to insure departure. We settled in at a local café while Tom took off with a TAM Airline official to sort through the challenge. Two hours later he returned with good news. He was able to get us on a 10:20 flight which would get us to Buenos Aires in time to catch one of two flights on another airline that would get us to Ushuaia. TAM Airlines agreed to pay for the new flights.
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