Travel Announcements Only (No questions or comments please)

[Orang05]

Thank you all very much. I have the message: "Forget Varig". I'll try GOL - I had good luck flying them internally throughout Brasil in a few months ago. I'll report on what I find and experience!

[El Greco]

Several months ago there was much chatter here about impending bankruptcy of Varig. Quiet since. I need to fly EZE-GIG on 15 November, return 6 Dec. The best daytime connections by far are on Varig, but about the same fare as TAM-Aerolineas (awful connections).

Varig Website is naturally mum on their future. They will sell the ticket. Cheapseats.com is the only other vender (no Orbitz, etc.) offers this route by Varig. I am suspicious.

Any counsel from you knowledgeable folks out there? I'd like to avoid a 3AM or 5 AM departure from EZE, and a 4-8 hour flight (with stops and connections). But I would also like to avoid spending US$350 for worthless tickets in hand at EZE. (Got caught that way with Pan Am in Bombay years ago and vowed, "never again.")

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks, gents!

Check out Lufthansa (daily flights) and British Airways (4-5 flights/week).
I don't know their prices but have a look at them too.

[Carlos Primeros]

NEVER EVER fly VARIG - better walk!!!! I have made now a flight with them - the very worst experience. They are the same arrogant incompetent bunch they had been before!!!!!

Any other airline is better.

I bough a tickt with them, first flight simply cancelled because no aircraft was avialable, than a old 737 which they borrowed form a museum - not cleaned, filthy, 7 hours delay without explanation. i wanted to return my ticket and fly with GOL - they refuse to refund the money and told me to wait. I waited all in all 10 hours from SAO to GIG, I could have taken the bus and beat it by 5 hours.

Carlos

King in Exile (unfortunately not Rio)

[Bubba Boy]

Varig were purchased by their freight business. Hence they are back in business. They were released of their debts, hence they have a reasonable chance of surving. It is a decent bet they will be around for a while but only time will tell.

Gol are ok, but you will pay more than USD$75. I have done their flight which connects in POA. At that point you usually need to clear customs before getting back on a domestic flight. There is only a 1 hour time frame to do this, I have made it in this time frame the 3 or 4 times I have flown through this route.

Varig is the better connection.

[Voyajer1]

Several months ago there was much chatter here about impending bankruptcy of Varig. Quiet since. I need to fly EZE-GIG on 15 November, return 6 Dec. The best daytime connections by far are on Varig, but about the same fare as TAM-Aerolineas (awful connections).

Varig Website is naturally mum on their future. They will sell the ticket. Cheapseats.com is the only other vender (no Orbitz, etc.) offers this route by Varig. I am suspicious.

Any counsel from you knowledgeable folks out there? I'd like to avoid a 3AM or 5 AM departure from EZE, and a 4-8 hour flight (with stops and connections). But I would also like to avoid spending US$350 for worthless tickets in hand at EZE. (Got caught that way with Pan Am in Bombay years ago and vowed, "never again.")

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks, gents!

Gol Airlines will get you there and back for about $75 less. Here is their website: http://www.voegol.com.br/INT/

Let us know how it worked out for you. Good luck.

[Orang05]

Several months ago there was much chatter here about impending bankruptcy of Varig. Quiet since. I need to fly EZE-GIG on 15 November, return 6 Dec. The best daytime connections by far are on Varig, but about the same fare as TAM-Aerolineas (awful connections).

Varig Website is naturally mum on their future. They will sell the ticket. Cheapseats.com is the only other vender (no Orbitz, etc.) offers this route by Varig. I am suspicious.

Any counsel from you knowledgeable folks out there? I'd like to avoid a 3AM or 5 AM departure from EZE, and a 4-8 hour flight (with stops and connections). But I would also like to avoid spending US$350 for worthless tickets in hand at EZE. (Got caught that way with Pan Am in Bombay years ago and vowed, "never again.")

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks, gents!

[Pana Nyc]

Left and I'll be in Rio from 9/12-9/20, and I cant wait, to bad you are going next month Helpmann, I'll try not to wear these brazlian bundas to much before you get there.

[Toshw2]

T-mobile as well. However, it will be pretty expensive. I can´t remember if it is $2.99 or $3.99/minute from Brazil. I do know that text messages are $1. I usually switch out my chip when I am in other countries, however while in El Salvador last month I made the mistake of turning my phone on with the T-mobile chip in it. I didn´t make any calls but it notified me that I had voice mails and it also rang on a couple of incomings. I think T-mobile charged me $27 or so because when you are roaming they still have to pay to use other towers to notify your phone that you have a message or an incoming call. So there was a $2.99 charge for each one.

I know with Nextel you can use the walkie-talkie deal for $.10/minute around the world. But when I´m out of the states I have no inclination to communicate with anyone back home. They can wait until I return.

Sounds like a total butt f*ck I'll have to watch out for that one! Thanks for the info.

[Mr Enternational]

Does anyone know what cellular service providers from the US allow roaming with caller ID to/from the states..and text messaging to/from the states. Currently I have sprint and it's not supported in Brazil. Any information is appreciated.

Thanks,

Lowdown

T-mobile as well. However, it will be pretty expensive. I can´t remember if it is $2.99 or $3.99/minute from Brazil. I do know that text messages are $1. I usually switch out my chip when I am in other countries, however while in El Salvador last month I made the mistake of turning my phone on with the T-mobile chip in it. I didn´t make any calls but it notified me that I had voice mails and it also rang on a couple of incomings. I think T-mobile charged me $27 or so because when you are roaming they still have to pay to use other towers to notify your phone that you have a message or an incoming call. So there was a $2.99 charge for each one.

I know with Nextel you can use the walkie-talkie deal for $.10/minute around the world. But when I´m out of the states I have no inclination to communicate with anyone back home. They can wait until I return.

[Genghois]

Alas Gentlemen, I will be returning to the sacred hunting grounds of Rio, along with two fellow mongerers, on Saturday September 2nd. We will taste the various delicacies of this sunny land until our departure on Sunday September 10th.

WC

Hey, WC. I'll be arriving Sept 2 late afternoon. Drop me a note and let's hook up. Tried to PM you but couldn't, for some reason?

[Java Man]

mrlowdown:
Nextel

[MrLowDown]

Does anyone know what cellular service providers from the US allow roaming with caller ID to/from the states..and text messaging to/from the states. Currently I have sprint and it's not supported in Brazil. Any information is appreciated.

Thanks,

Lowdown

[Wild Cherokee]

Alas Gentlemen, I will be returning to the sacred hunting grounds of Rio, along with two fellow mongerers, on Saturday September 2nd. We will taste the various delicacies of this sunny land until our departure on Sunday September 10th.

This will be our 2nd trip. As our first was largely confined to Copa and Impanema (except for tourist activities), we plan to venture into Centro and other surrounding cities this time.

If any other fellow mongerers (seasoned or newbies) would like to meet and share in the happy hunting festivities, please PM me. I don't believe you can ever have too many wingmen in Rio. On the contrary, I believe that it actually raises everyone's stock.

Regards,

WC

P.S. I will attempt to refrain from kissing the ground upon arrival!

[navar4500]

Thanks Chingon an RXHammer for your input and advice. I also read the Bubba reports and those where quite good! I'm already salivating about the garotas in Brazil.

[Java Man]

http://airlineconsolidator.com/
they're based in TX and it seems they have access to every
airline in the world.