General Info

[Perkele]

Yes they are probably well trained, but there are numerous examples of security officials in the US abusing their authority. Just do a google search with the keywords "don't tase me Bro". Even a simple verbal remark can put you in deep trouble with these people.
I go the USA as little as I can. I do not feel secure there, not because of criminals, but because of the excessive powers and frequent abuse of security officials.
Passing the immigration controls or passing any airport security check in the USA is a very unpleasant experience.

The US citizens are simply too sensitive. As we all know: Anything you say can and WILL be used against you.

USA is worth only for shopping.

[Bimbo Boy]

... Trust me when I tell you these ladies and gentlemen of the Air Marshall service are very well trained, and very proficient at what they do. I would be very surprised if they got involved when they shouldn't have or "overeacted". I think it is much more likely the press reports are in error or don't have all the facts.

Yes they are probably well trained, but there are numerous examples of security officials in the US abusing their authority. Just do a google search with the keywords "don't tase me Bro". Even a simple verbal remark can put you in deep trouble with these people.
I go the USA as little as I can. I do not feel secure there, not because of criminals, but because of the excessive powers and frequent abuse of security officials.
Passing the immigration controls or passing any airport security check in the USA is a very unpleasant experience.

[Poucolouco]

Alternate travel docs can be a temporary passport issued by the US embassy. The temp passport is basically a cardboard version on the real thing but of course temporary. Anyone that loses their passport can be issued with "alternative travel documents", this can be issued quickly by the embassy to anyone, usually within 48 hours if ID can be proved quickly. In the case of the airmarshals, it was probably have done in minutes.

The real interesting thing would be to see the exact way they got out of Rio, through customs quickly. Possibly accompanied by an embassy member with a diplomatic passort? Possibly an embassy staff member called the airline and they were escorted through customs quickly without the federal police asking too many questions.

More likely they just used a NEXUS or SENTRI Identification card which is a valid alternative travel document.

[Bubba Boy]

Alternate travel docs can be a temporary passport issued by the US embassy. The temp passport is basically a cardboard version on the real thing but of course temporary. Anyone that loses their passport can be issued with "alternative travel documents", this can be issued quickly by the embassy to anyone, usually within 48 hours if ID can be proved quickly. In the case of the airmarshals, it was probably have done in minutes.

The real interesting thing would be to see the exact way they got out of Rio, through customs quickly. Possibly accompanied by an embassy member with a diplomatic passort? Possibly an embassy staff member called the airline and they were escorted through customs quickly without the federal police asking too many questions.

[Sky Ryder]

Yes you're right but I also find it interesting that they have 2 air marshalls on a Rio flight, obviously they consider this a high threat destination.

I think you would be surprised on how many flights to how many destinations there really are Air Marshals on the aircraft. The reasons might seem far fetched, but then again that is difficult to know the "why".
Given that I have been in the industry for a while, I can tell you that while many people think they know who the Marshals are, the only way you will know is if they want you to know.
As far as them doing "the right thing" in this instance, the mission for them has changed a lot since they were put on the airplanes. In the past they were told to stay out of "minor" disputes and only get involved if the flight was under threat. I don't know for sure, but I think they are allowed to "uncover" for other reasons now, after a few crewmembers and passengers were injured on flights by "idiots" and the Marshals were not allowed to intervene.
Trust me when I tell you these ladies and gentlemen of the Air Marshall service are very well trained, and very proficient at what they do. I would be very surprised if they got involved when they shouldn't have or "overeacted". I think it is much more likely the press reports are in error or don't have all the facts.

[Rock Harders]

Mongers-

The air marshals were without a doubt traveling on "Official" US Passports, which means alternative travel documents were most likely their personal US Passports. All US Passport holders regardless of class of passport are required to have a visa to enter Brazil. It appears the air marshals also had Brazilian Visas in their personal US Passports, which they then used to exit Brazil. Questions remain about the semantics of exiting Brazil without the required entry stamp but if the air marshals were frequent travelers to Brazil with numerous stamps this would not be a problem.

Sorte,
Rock Harders

[Lorenzo]

I found this article interesting, hopefully there won't be any retaliation on Americans going through passport control because of this. Continental Airlines was involved, we'll see what happens:

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/am...rshals/?hpt=T1

I wonder what those "alternate travel documents" were. How could they get out of the country without passports?

[Bubba Boy]

The air marshals went way over the top. They are there to protect against terroism, not get involved in simple delinquent behaviour which should be left to the crew ,eventally and if necessary the Captain, as it always has been before

Well actually it is the air marshalls responsibility to act against basically any act that can endanger the safety of a flight according to the "Tokyo convention", of which Brazil has signed. The lady was intoxicated and out of control, biting one of the marshalls, hence deserved to be arrested. If you or I did this, we would surely be arrested and would deserve to be.

To me this is just another example of how corrupt Brazil is, basically if you have connections you make the law. If it wasn't the fact that she was a judges wife she would have been arrested by the federal police. Even if you are absolutely correct in any your actions and you come up against a connected Brazilian you will be arrested and found guilty.

The corrupt & inefficient Brazilian legal system is the number 1 problem holding Brazil back from sustainable prosperity.

[Rio Bob]

The air marshals went way over the top. They are there to protect against terroism, not get involved in simple delinquent behaviour which should be left to the crew ,eventally and if necessary the Captain, as it always has been before

Yes you're right but I also find it interesting that they have 2 air marshalls on a Rio flight, obviously they consider this a high threat destination.

[Beach Star]

I found this article interesting, hopefully there won't be any retaliation on Americans going through passport control because of this. Continental Airlines was involved, we'll see what happens:

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/am...rshals/?hpt=T1

The air marshals went way over the top. They are there to protect against terroism, not get involved in simple delinquent behaviour which should be left to the crew ,eventally and if necessary the Captain, as it always has been before

[Rio Bob]

I found this article interesting, hopefully there won't be any retaliation on Americans going through passport control because of this. Continental Airlines was involved, we'll see what happens:

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/am...rshals/?hpt=T1

[Monger X]

I'm going to Rio soon on a non stop to Rio on Tam.

For the past 13 years I have been checking my luggage in a large hard side samsonite case on Continental airlines and have never had a problem.

The samsonite lock broke recently so I went out and bought a Tumi set, carry on case 20" , suitor and check in case.

I decided to go completely carry on this trip since I have the carry on case and suitor; I followed the rules of the tsa on liquids and did everything by the book.

I called TAM today just to get some info and before I hung up she wanted to inform me about the carry on rules, so I listened to what she had to say thinking there would be no problem, this is what she told me:

You can carry on 1 carry on item that is 11.5 lbs and 1 personal item that could be a laptop and you can check in luggage up to 70 lbs.

I told her my carry on bag is 20'' in diameter and 33 lbs, she told me then I would have to check this as my carry on can't be more than 11.5 lbs. WTF?

I'm sure some of you guys flew TAM before, ever experience this?

Yep same thing happened to me a couple years ago when flying from GRU to Porto Alegre. I just got off an international flight with the carry on I always travel with and the counter-person made me check it as it was over the 11.5 pound limit.

[Rio Bob]

Yep, if the size of the carry-on is xtra large, it may draw attention and they may not allow it.

They will not, however, be alerted as to the weight or over-weight of the bag if the bag is of relatively normal size.

Casually walk on, casually stow it in the over-head bin, everyone contente

Yes thank you all for your comments.

The bag is regulation carry on 20" but it weighs 33 lbs, she made a point to tell me they only allow 11.5 lbs.

I really wanted to go carry on this time because I was worried that Tam may lose my bag but it's non stop jfk - gig so I don't think there is much to worry about.

Either way I'll be ok.

[Ricker]

I fly with TAM all the time and they are alert on the size of carry on luggage ...

Yep, if the size of the carry-on is xtra large, it may draw attention and they may not allow it.

They will not, however, be alerted as to the weight or over-weight of the bag if the bag is of relatively normal size.

Casually walk on, casually stow it in the over-head bin, everyone contente

[Golfinho]

Now, when you finally check in the hotel or see your apartment check which type of power plug you need. Then go to supermarket and buy an adapter. They're cheap, 1 - 2 reais. They are called: Benjamin. Don't ask me why.

The supermarket? You can't go a block in Copa without bumping into a guy selling them on the street.