I was in Brazil and flew on TAM. The flight was from Rio to Iguasu, about a 3 hour leg in an airbus. I had bought my tickets on line months before for 175.00 a person round trip for four people. Picked our seats, no baggage fees. We get to the airport and it appears the first part of a job interview for any female at TAM is to be HOT. The service and looks of every female from the gate agent, boarding and cabin crew was outstanding. Free beverage and sandwich service on the flight. While in Iguasu, I thought about changing our outbound flight back a day to spend more time there. I called, got a girl who spoke English, who said I could change the flight back a day AT NO CHARGE. I also went online before I called to see what a ticket would be just buying new ones the day before. 179.00 a person. Try that here.

Also a friend of mine and his wife took the same flight, they goofed and went to the international airport they had flown in on, rather than the downtown airport for their flight out of Rio. They do not realize until the gate agent tells them , then "no problem" she says, about 50 keystrokes later she hands him two tickets for a flight leaving to Iguasu from the international airport, rather than downtown.

I know TAM receives government subsidies, but I wonder how much it is over the cost of the country population? I might be willing to try for service like that.