Well, I thought it was nice in comparison. Liked it better than GIG or GRU. VIX did 2.3 million in 2009 and is much much smaller. Not sure of the official capacity, but it is less than that. VIX always seems to be a madhouse no matter what time one is there.

Flew recently on a domestic flight with JJ from Congonhas to Belo Horizonte and these are my observations:

- I was able to bring 2 small carry-ons onboard without problem.
- FA's were extremely polite and proactive on both segments. I was pleasantly surprised to be served a hot sandwich on the outbound and a small tray of cheese with olives on the return for a flight that is just about 1 hr.
- My CO acct was credited on a timely basis without problems.

Interesting people ask such questions after they'be booked their flights.
-I didn't know there were TAM lounges for domestic passengers. The one TAM Gold lounge I saw, at GIG, was in the international departures area. It was next to a consolidated "VIP" lounge for passengers of a few different airlines. We were flying Biz class on US Airways, so had access. But it was in the international departures area. Only lounge we've used before a domestic flight was the American Express "Centurion" lounge, outside of security.
-Even if someone agreed that TAM is the best Brazilian airline company in terms of service, that doesn't make it great. Look at the competition. I have not taken Azul or other smaller airlines. Based on just my experiences, I'd rate TAM and Gol pretty equal in terms of service. Not great, not horrible. Worst part has been the time it takes to get someone on the phone.
-The size of the snacks on their flights, and availability of beverages (at least the beer), seems to go down over time. But didn't notice anything better on Gol. Only international TAM flights I've taken have been MIA-FOR (they used to fly direct, with two stops) and MAO-MIA. Don't recall anythng about the service other than the lack of individual video screens (this was a couple of years ago).
-My wife is in the TAM points program, and I don't recall her having problems with it. I use any TAM flights I take to get points in the United Airlines ff program.
-I thought that TAM's carry-on policy was the same as for most airlines: one carry-on and one "personal" item (becomes de facto second carry-on). As with other airlnes, the baggage weight limits for domestic flights (and, I believe, to neighboring countries) are low, and fees for extra weight high. If the flight is in conjuunction with an international flight (there is a limit to how many hours you have between flights), you get the same max as for your itnernational flight.
-Note that when transferring from domestic to international flights, your bags will normally be transferred to your next flight as long as it's on one itinerary, but you will likely have to exit security and stand in line at the check-in desk for your intrnational airline, along with people just starting their journey at that airport, in order to get your boarding pass. Be sure to allow time for that. Impossible to say if you "will" make any particular connection. Always a roll of the dice in Brazil, especially during rainyand/or peak travel seasons.

I am trying to book a flight on TAM from the Brazilian site as it is a good 60 dollars cheaper then on the US site however when I get to the end of the booking by the billing info it asks for a CPF (Somente números) number which is some Brazilian identity number and it is not letting it go without it. When I called TAM they said that there are sales for Brazilians and if you come up with a Brazilian CC you can do it or just go on the Intl. site. Anyone ever tried making up a CPF? Using a Brazilian travel agent who would have a good cc of course?

CPF is sort of like a Social Security Number. I've heard of people making up a CPF or using their SSN, but I've not tried it and don't know risks involved. Last year I did book two domestic flights on TAM through Expedia and saved money over what I would have paid through TAM's site (plus was able to cancel one of the tickets when my wife couldn't travel), but sometimes it costs more that way. Remember that if you book through the Brazilian site you'll be charged in Brazilian Reais. Your credit card will give you perhaps not the best exchange rate, and may have a foreign currency transaction charge. You could try a bi Brazilian g travel agency like CVC Viageans, but they could have an extra service charge, as well. And perhaps not easy to contact or communicate with in English. For $60, I'd probably bite the bullet, both to pay in USD and to more easily make any complaint/claims afterwards should there be problems, including with billing.

Research "gringo tax". Usually, but not always, Brazilians pay less. When I went to Brazil I had one cheaper domestic flight for paying as a 'gringo' (Rio to Brasilia) and one more expensive (Rio to Sao Paulo).

Faking a CPF (or even using someone else's) is a criminal offence and not recommended as a tourist.

This is something that pisses me off about Brazil these days. They want your freaking CPF number for almost anything. It seems that if you go to McDonald's and order a hamburger, they'll ask for your CPF.

Apparently, identity theft and privacy are alien concepts in Brazil. Some of my recent experiences: i) tried to book a flight on Webjet's site, but they wanted to know my ID number, CPF, father's and mother's full name, etc. They wanted so much information that it would be easy for a rogue employee to steal my identity. Never booked it. ii) tried to check in at a hotel in Curitiba, but they wouldn't let me unless I filled that stupid information form; they said it was required by the Tourism Ministry; I said that Brazil wasn't the Soviet Union yet and the government had no need to know about my travel plans; eventually they relented; iii) tried to use free wifi at GIG, but signing up required giving my CPF, national ID or passport numbers; declined.

Honestly, I don't understand what's going on. All an airline/hotel/website should need is a valid credit card number. Your CPF should only be known by the credit card company, since they are the ones extending credit. That's it. I don't have to give my SSN to anybody here in the US.[/Rant off]

The government doesn't receive access to the information, but businesses ask for the information in order to go after you if you don't pay. The problem with airline tickets is that credit card fraud is very common, so the credit card companies require all sorts of information from the ticket issuer. If afterwards the credit card owner complains that the purchase was fraudulent, the credit card issuer demands the confirmation of all personal information of the buyer. If it doesn't match the credit card owner's information, the ticket issuer must sometimes take the loss.

Oh, If you have experienced it in São Paulo, they profusely ask for the CPF everywhere, because that's the only for you to get a small tax rebate.

I was able to buy GOL tickets online in 2007 using an Aussie Amex and no CPF, I hope this is still the case as the price is the same on the Brazilian site and the "other" site. Trip requires a CPF, not sure about Passaredo.

The CPF thing is a pita, I heard you can't even get a prepaid SIM card without one. How do they expect tourists to call a hotel from the airport for a shuttle pick up?

Buy your chip at Lojas Americanas (a chain store in most Rio neighborhoods and elsewhere in Brazil). They apparently don't require a CPF and will help you activate the chip.

Two friends of mine in two different occasions got TIM sim cards with their passport numbers only.

Thanks, good to know! I only need minimal credit to call anyone who might be meeting me during the trip (hotels, shuttles, etc) but the important thing is to get a local number and email everyone so they can call/text me. Does Brazil charge for incoming calls as well as outgoing?

No, only for outgoing, but beware of domestic roaming charges if you're outside your area code or state.

with all this airline and visa hassle it almost makes me want to rethink my trip

Last time I checked, it was possible to buy GOL tickets with international Amex. Some people have even reported here that the airline can hold the booking for you until you show up at the airport to pay for the ticket, but I haven't done that.
You can buy a prepaid SIM without a CPF. Also you can use a public telephone to make calls. In the remote rural areas there are settlements without mobile coverage, but with public phones.