AA pilot supposedly was upset in Brazil

[Dizel8]

Oh yeah, I should base my perception of entire countries on some BS posted on a website or some idiot judge in Brazil? I think not!
Just like I think any Brazilian, who bases his perception of americans on the actions of one AA pilot, needs to get his head examined.

Your avatar says "Enlightened Rogue", so why act like an ignorant cave dweller? While that probably is way to harsh, according to you, you have travelled extensively, so certainly you should know, that a few morons does not a country make.

 

[Flex]

A little historical perspective might be in order. Brazil is one of the only countries in South America that require U.S. citizens to aquire visas prior to entry. (I found this out the hard way). The reason for this is because the U.S. requires that Brazilians aquire visas for here. The Brazilians even charge the same amount of cash ($100). Citizens of both countries must go to the respective embassies or consulates, pay money and turn over their passports. In the U.S. it took me one day. By mail it would take longer of course, and I needed my passport for my job, so I had to drag my ass to the embassy to get the visa. Brazilians go do the same, plus an interview with U.S. officials. The recent fingerprinting is a "tit-for-tat" quid-pro-quo thing that the Brazilians are doing. They are only giving us a taste of our own medicine. The arugument that we are under more of a terrorist threat seems ok, but when I asked a Brazilian this, they said: "Brazilians aren't going to attack the U.S." The bottom line is that when in Rome do as the Romans do. Respect goes a long way. I'm sure this captain wouldn't have appreciated it if I had handed my ID to him like that when I asked him for a jumpseat. This AA captain should stick to flying domestic.

 

[Sniper@YourFeet]

Clarifications

The arugument that we are under more of a terrorist threat seems ok, but when I asked a Brazilian this, they said: "Brazilians aren't going to attack the U.S."

Nor are Canadians or Germans, but that is of little consequence when terrorist operatives enter the US through Canada or set up a terroist cell in Hamburg, like the 9-11 guys did.

The US only requires citizens of those countries who don't have passports that can be electronically verified (to reduce the use of fake passports) to submit to the 'picture and fingerprint' routine. Brazil has refused to create an electronic database of passports and make it available to the US.