astro,
I know that a big number of pilots flying for LAN are the sons or nephews or friends to captains or management in the company with a lot less experience than many pilots looking for jobs but the fact remains, LAN is acquiring a lot of airplanes starting in 2010 and there are not enough pilots in Chile to fill those spots. There are plenty of private pilots but enough guys who have the financial means nor the time to put themselves through commercial training. I already have the right to work in Chile, something that LAN requires and doesn't sponsor you for.
So, for now, I'll keep researching the possibilities down there, but you're right, red tape was invented there.
Y.