This is pretty long, and I still find it hard to believe that aeroflot could act in such a way.

My brother flew with a friend NY-Moscow-Rostov and back.

It all started on his return when he took photo in Rostov's checkin area. A security guard approached him and told him that it was not allowed, for which my brother apologized for. Then an Aeroflot employee came up to him and told him (in English) that he had to pay a fine for taking a photo. He told her that the security guard had excused him, and he didn't believe it was in her jurisdiction to fine him. She told them to follow her into her office, sat them down, lectured them for about 5 minutes. She threatened them that if they didn't pay, she would call the KGB, have him arrested and put in jail overnight. He asked how much the fine is, and was told to pay whatever he thinks is fitting (which is a bit of a joke). He gave her a $5 bill, to which she took, and then her supervisor or another employee in the room told her to ask for $10, which my brother had no choice but to give her. My brother knows a bit of Russian, and the idea was to fine him because he was "Americanski" and therefore had "dengee" - money. Aside from this they called him some racial slurs in Russian.

After this, they went to check in. Even though they were going to the USA and should be allowed 2 pieces each, they were told at by the check-in staff they were only allowed 20kg each. After explaining that they had come to Russia to help out Jewish communities there, and had brought extra kosher food for the town they were visiting for Passover, she let them through. At the next checkpoint, the employee said they had to pay overweight. They replied that the lady at checkin said they didn't. She said that it couldn't be so she brought them back to the checkin desk, and explained to the other employee that they were Americans who had money and therefore must be charged for overweight. Suddenly the first employee agreed and said they had to pay for overweight. They were taken to another area to pay overweight, but were charged for 36kg overweight - even though they were only 18kg overweight. But there was no reasoning with them.

At the boarding area, the employee told them they had to pay overweight. They said they had already, at which the original employee and the cashier were called who agreed that the overweight had been paid. But this next employee didn't care and then suddenly the original employee and the cashier also agreed they had to pay overweight - another 18kg, and they were told if they didn't pay they'd miss their connecting flight to NY. After arguing they realised they'd rather pay than miss the flight, so they paid. In the ensuing discussions among the employeess, one wanted to charge them more, but the other employee said they had paid enough.

My brother sent a letter to Aeroflot in NY, and was told that Aeroflot in USA and Aeroflot in Russia were 2 separate companies, and probably nothing would come out of his complaints.

thanks
goodo