Dear Elizabeth Spiers,

Its amazing that you were able to write such a mess of an article that skews facts from fiction and is downright false, all because it seems you wanted to vent because your brazilian flights were delayed. It seems very tacky and shows a real sense of self-centeredness.

First, why don't you let if anything your boyfriend who actually has travelled on a myriad number of carriers around the world critique and label the 'best' and 'worst' airline. Where is your opinion coming from and what is it based on? One flight? One trip?

Its seems soo ironic that it took you near the end of the article to state "the larger problems" that you say are really at the core of the problems of the brazilian aviation industry. While, for most of the article you whined about never-ending delays, lines, and attitude from flight crews. You mentioned a lack of coordination on the ground and on the flights. Are you sure you are talking about Brazil and not the United States? Have you not seen the latest statistics on the deterioration of the aviation industry in this country.

Next, you then throw out what you must think are shockers in the aviation industry, such as short, single runways or those that are newly paved or a out-dated air traffic control center on the brink of breakdown. Again, do you know the state of aviation in the United States? Have you read reports from various pilot unions, the NTSB, and the air traffic controllers unions about the failing ATC of this country. It is maxed out beyond capacity. Single runways that are short and near major metropolitan areas are not rare in this country. Lastly, the best whopper that you just chunked in your mess was the September mid-air crash of a 737 GOL aircraft and a private jet, saying it was due to ATC. You should read the facts and see how this was caused explicitly by the failings and violations of protocols by the pilots of the private plane. Check out the many legal proceedings taking place against them and recorded pilot error documented on their actions.

Elizabeth, its best you keep your whining about your delay that caused you to miss your time at the beach to your boyfriend and not juxtapose the brazilian aviation industry, TAM airlines, the 'best' and 'worst' of all time, and aviation disasters together when you don't have the facts straight. You know your dealing with situations where people actually died, not just had a delayed flight.

Very well said.

Touche,

I am writing this to as many posts as I can in order to gather support to come against the author as well as all those who allowed this to be posted. I encourage you to contact as many reputable news agencies and direct them to this article as well as the replies. Write to the Washington Post the owner of the SLATE and also finally to the Brazilian government. Perhaps the combined effort will make someone stand up and listen. As a Captain for many years I am used to the media getting all the facts wrong simply because they cannot wait for the professionals to have time to examine all the evidence. This is not about that it is about one writer using the very wide reach of MSN and the Washington Post to disgrace the memories of so many lost. Please do not let this die in the background. Pass it on.