Hi again Philco, and you are welcome.
Reliability of GOL -
well, as you have read, I started this thread because of the reports (around Xmas/New Years) of terrible experiences with GOL - cancellations, delayed flights - I had also read that much pertained to air traffic control labour disputes. A travel agent I was dealing with (in Brazil) for my upcoming March trip was discouraging using GOL. Please see World traveller's comments below when I made the enquiry of recent experiences. It was his/her comments that prompted me to go with GOL.

That, and the price differential between GOL and TAM. TAM was significantly more expensive for my itinerary. VARIG was comparable to GOL but it would have taken about 11 hours to get from Floripa to Recifé, and that by flying all over the country!

My experience with GOL has been favourble. We have a low cost airline in Canada called WestJet and GOL reminds me of WestJet - no frills, but clean 737's with young, cheerful cabin crew. The seating is tight (3 and 3), the planes are full, they will serve a beverage and a little snack and will get you from A to B (my past experience anyway) and will do so on time (again my past experience).

Above is based on about 4 previous flights on this airline.

hope this helps............zack