Arriving AA#951 JFK GRU GIG, on Friday, February 13th, I expected the worst when I arrived at immigrations in Brazil given all of the recent news reports about picture taking and fingerprinting or fingerpointing causing all sorts of disruptions including fines for PAXs and even pilots, and was prepared to be extremely cooperative with the Brazilian authorities to the point of even giving my toeprints, if requested.

Much to my surprise, my arrival was not unlike my many prior visits to Brazil, including my most recent on January 1st 2004, September, June, March, January of 2003, where I was always treated with both dignity and respect. No picture or fingerprints were taken. I was greeted with a smile and a WARM welcome.

Did something change? Anyone else with a recent similar pleasant experience?


[This message has been edited by howellajohnson (edited Feb 14, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by howellajohnson (edited Feb 14, 2004).]