AA Trip back to US
------------------
After checking in at AA's designated F-class counter, I had to ask about going to the Admirals club. No invitation or mention without my promting. After seeing the club, I know why.
The club was set up with a nice entry area and business center, then a small bar and snack counter with self serve cookies and crackers. It appeared that the capacity had been increased from the original design, because the whole club was set up in rows of club chairs lined up like a regular waiting area. Very few tables or places to rest your drink. The smoking area near a second bar was set up with cafe tables only. And the TV area had no more than four Eames type chairs. In all, very dissapointing for AA's premier destination in South America. The fabric was worn, and smoke filled the whole club. After one learns of the great amenities Asian/Euro carriers provide for F-class, this was a real let down.
Next, we board the flight to DFW. The agents made a special announcement for F/C class, but no one paid attention. Also, the agents didn't seem to care...they took everyone's boarding cards at once...what a mob scene.
On board, we were seating in 3HJ, which are pretty nice given the cramped 767 interior. I will definitely avoid the 767 on international flights in the future...way too cramped in all classes (maybe not coach). We had champagne and wondered when our amenity kit would be distributed. When we asked, the FA replied gruffly "We didn't get any tonight." Now, I may be picky, but this is first class...shouldn't there be some extra stock at GRU? AA has at least 5 flights a day here to the States. Even if they ran out, couldn't they borrow some from their partner TAM? I just don't understand how you tell people that spend alot of money/miles on first class that you are "out" of amenity kits!!! The rest of the flight went OK, but again was served warm vodka with the caviar. I woke up very early to have the hot breakfast, which was supposed to be served with eggs cooked to order. Instead they were just handed out scrambled with some sausage. I was really upset because I was going to ask them to leave the sausage off when they asked how I wanted my eggs!
Arrival in DFW was fine, and I really liked the DFW Admirals club in Terminal C. There was no continental breakfast available, though. I thought this was a feature of the Admirals Club (muffins, fruit, etc.). The flight back to SAN was too long for the Super 80 assigned to the route, but we did survive. My fiance wasn't sure whether to eat the F/C breakfast or get a Bistro bag. When she asked the FA that served our pre-flight drinks what was on the menu, he replied "Breakfast...I don't know...SHE's (referring to another FA) taking care of that." I guess he realized how stupid he sounded, because he did check and let us know what was on the menu.
To Summarize:
Sao Paulo: A-
Rio de Janeiro: A++
Varig: A
American Airlines: B-
Caesar Park Ipanema: B
I will definitely look to fly DL or UA on my next flight to South America. I am thinking of a honeymoon in Punta del Este, Uruguay and a few days in Buenos Aires. The most convenient routing is SAN-MEX-EZE, with an AR A-340 on the MEX-EZE route. Any thoughts on that routing?