BRAZIL - AVOID BRAZIL
Feb 21, 2004 | 12:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Miami 7-Million Miler EXP
Posts: 829
BRAZIL - AVOID BRAZIL
Our lovely 3-week cruise of Antarctica and South America on the Amsterdam ended in Rio de Janeiro on 1/29/2004. The Brazil immigration process was a nightmare. The ship docked at 7-am. I didn't clear immigration until 1:30pm because of the fingerprinting and photographing of US citizens. (Non-US citizens cleared much more quickly).
I will NOT go to Brazil until this policy changes. I think Holland America was not happy, either, and I suspect future cruises may avoid Brazil where possible.
I will NOT go to Brazil until this policy changes. I think Holland America was not happy, either, and I suspect future cruises may avoid Brazil where possible.
Feb 22, 2004 | 10:44 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Allentown, PA USA
Programs: Northwest-millionair; Marriott, lifetime gold
Posts: 578
Brazil is simply applying to American citizens the very same procedure the U.S. applies to Brazilian citizens.
Why should we expect that so many countries, for whose citizens we make visas very expensive and immigration cumbersome and humiliating, should in turn offer American citizens "cheap" visas and no-hassle immigration procedure ?
Why should we expect that so many countries, for whose citizens we make visas very expensive and immigration cumbersome and humiliating, should in turn offer American citizens "cheap" visas and no-hassle immigration procedure ?
Feb 22, 2004 | 8:59 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: DL GM, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 12,171
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Phil:
Brazil is simply applying to American citizens the very same procedure the U.S. applies to Brazilian citizens.
Why should we expect that so many countries, for whose citizens we make visas very expensive and immigration cumbersome and humiliating, should in turn offer American citizens "cheap" visas and no-hassle immigration procedure ? </font>
Brazil is simply applying to American citizens the very same procedure the U.S. applies to Brazilian citizens.
Why should we expect that so many countries, for whose citizens we make visas very expensive and immigration cumbersome and humiliating, should in turn offer American citizens "cheap" visas and no-hassle immigration procedure ? </font>
The difference in in the details. I don't think anyone is complaining that Brasil is taking the pictures or fingerprints, most are complaining that Brasil have not staffed up or put in place an efficient/effective system.
You don't hear horror stories about 4+ hour waits at US entry points (other than IAD of course
), do you?
Feb 24, 2004 | 9:05 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Putnam County, NY
Programs: Delta-Platinum/Million Miler, Marriott-Lifetime Titanium. Priority Club-Platinum
Posts: 1,214
>difference is in the details<<
The US system has an electronic fingerprint device and digital camera at each immigration desk. The process adds 10-20 seconds to immigration. When I arrived in Brasil, first they had all Americans wait in the jetway while all non-americans were allowed to pass immigration first. We were then sheparded to a second line where we were fingerprinted (in ink), and then had our pictures taken holding up a handwritten number with a digital camera (1) that looked like it was purchased from BestBuy! This added at least an hour and a half to the entire process.
It was a pain, but I was prepared for it and the extra time wasnt a big deal (I did not have a cruise to catch however). I also got the distinct impression that all of this got "round filed" anyway. Does anyone believe they are archiving this info?
Also while I was there, an AA pilot held up his sign for the photo by holding it with his middle fingers...if you get my drift. He was arrested and detained for the day/night and deported two days later after paying a fine for "disrepecting authority".
I am not boycotting brasil...I am laughing at them. This whole process makes them look very primitive indeed! I spoke with many brasilians who feel the same way, and were embarrased about the way we are being treated.
The US system has an electronic fingerprint device and digital camera at each immigration desk. The process adds 10-20 seconds to immigration. When I arrived in Brasil, first they had all Americans wait in the jetway while all non-americans were allowed to pass immigration first. We were then sheparded to a second line where we were fingerprinted (in ink), and then had our pictures taken holding up a handwritten number with a digital camera (1) that looked like it was purchased from BestBuy! This added at least an hour and a half to the entire process.
It was a pain, but I was prepared for it and the extra time wasnt a big deal (I did not have a cruise to catch however). I also got the distinct impression that all of this got "round filed" anyway. Does anyone believe they are archiving this info?
Also while I was there, an AA pilot held up his sign for the photo by holding it with his middle fingers...if you get my drift. He was arrested and detained for the day/night and deported two days later after paying a fine for "disrepecting authority".
I am not boycotting brasil...I am laughing at them. This whole process makes them look very primitive indeed! I spoke with many brasilians who feel the same way, and were embarrased about the way we are being treated.