Hi I wonder if anyone can help as I'm being passed pillar to post! I am flying with TAM Airlines from Heathrow to Rio next month with a connecting TAM flight in Sau Paulo en route (approximately 2 hour wait at São Paulo). My question is whether or not I need to collect my luggage at São Paulo before taking my flight to Rio? The airline have said:

"The luggage will be tagged to Rio, however, it will be necessary to pick them up in São Paulo and check them again in the connection counter."

My question is if the luggage is tagged to Rio, how can it possibly be collected at São Paulo? Won't it just be taken off the first flight and put onto the connecting TAM flight? My travel agent is clueless and now TAM won't respond to my query. We have 2 hours between flights. Any help much appreciated.