siceone Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 SAO PAULO, Brazil — An American Airlines (search) pilot was fined nearly $13,000 Wednesday on accusations he made an obscene gesture when being photographed at the airport as part of entry requirements for U.S. citizens, officials said.Brazil (search) imposed the new rules that Americans be fingerprinted and photographed at entry points in response the similar rules in the United States for citizens of Brazil and other countries whose citizens need visas to enter. The pilot, Dale Robin Hersh (search), lifted his middle finger while undergoing the new security process at Sao Paulo's Guarulhos International Airport, said federal prosecutor Matheus Baraldi Magnani. Police accused the Miami-based pilot of showing contempt to authorities, a crime in Brazil, and escorted him to a nearby federal courthouse for possible formal charges. However, Hersh agreed to pay a fine before he leaves Brazil in exchange for no charges being filed, the prosecutor said. "Since this was a minor crime I proposed that he be fined 36,000 reals ($12,750), which will later be donated to a home for the elderly," Magnani told reporters. Hersh was freed on his own recognizance. The prosecutor said Hersh expected to pay the fine on Thursday. It wasn't immediately clear where Hersh was staying Wednesday night. The prosecutor said Hersh could have faced charges punishable by up to two years in jail. Hersh's 10-member crew was detained inside the airport when the incident began Wednesday morning and was not allowed to enter Brazil. Police said the crew was not charged with anything and was returning to the United States on an evening flight. American Airlines spokeswoman Martha Pantin said the incident was the result of a misunderstanding. "The company apologizes to the Brazilian government, the airport authorities, the police or anyone else who may have perceived anything they believe to have been disrespectful," Pantin said. Late Wednesday, when asked if the airline was paying the fine, Patin said: "We are taking care of any Brazilian government levies at this time." The incident is the latest flap in growing diplomatic spat between Brazil and the United States. The Brazilian requirement was first imposed at the order of the federal judge but on Monday it became the government's official policy, citing the diplomatic concept of "reciprocity." On Monday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva asked President Bush to drop the visa requirement for Brazilians entering the United States, while Brazil's Foreign Ministry said the requirement could lead to a souring between the two nations. "Recent episodes, such as the new system of identification of travelers, create a negative climate in public opinion with inevitable political implications, which is not in the interest of the two countries," the ministry said. But in Rio de Janeiro, tourism officials are trying to console American tourists arriving at the airport by treating them to samba music and dancers and giving them flowers, jewelry and T-shirts. Brazil currently requires Americans to have visas to enter Brazil because of reciprocity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksimons Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 wonder what would happen if you stuck your finger up going into the us...brazil kicks ass... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattbateman Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 nothinggod could you hate america moreduring the next world war when you are our opisition im gonna kick your fuckin ass simons!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siceone Posted January 15 Author Report Share Posted January 15 Originally posted by marksimons wonder what would happen if you stuck your finger up going into the us...brazil kicks ass... Nothing at all our law enforcement officers are for the most pat, professional. Learn something about us before you hate dick Go drink your Sherry and watch your football Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamiroguy1 Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 Originally posted by pattbateman nothinggod could you hate america moreduring the next world war when you are our opisition im gonna kick your fuckin ass simons!!! That's bullshit. Imagine a valid tourist coming from one of the countries that we've designated to be fingerprinted and photographed, let's say Saudi Arabia. And this Saudi national decides that's this is a bullshit policy that the US has and uses obcenity and flips the camera off as he/she is being photographed. Do you still think the would be no charges or harassment from the authorities? Yeah, right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamiroguy1 Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 Originally posted by siceone Nothing at all our law enforcement officers are for the most pat, professional. Learn something about us before you hate dick Go drink your Sherry and watch your football Not in my experience. It all depends on what law enforcement officers you are referring to. Everyone has stories of how shitty they can be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattbateman Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 from some asshole PILOT that flies say british airways and gets off in the us and flicks off a camera NOTHING is done you dumb fuck this guy was not a passenger from saudi arabia dick fuckenough of the hypotheticals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamiroguy1 Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 Originally posted by pattbateman from some asshole PILOT that flies say british airways and gets off in the us and flicks off a camera NOTHING is done you dumb fuck this guy was not a passenger from saudi arabia dick fuckenough of the hypotheticals Listen, I was responding to your hypothetical answer that nothing would happen. Read your own post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattbateman Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 its not a hypothetical dumb ass its the truth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr mahs Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 its not a hypothetical dumb ass its the truth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattbateman Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 they are good for nothing anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamiroguy1 Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 Originally posted by pattbateman its not a hypothetical dumb ass its the truth uhm... no it's hypothetical. Look it in the dictionary if you don't know what it means. When you respond to a statement that has a "what if" or a "I wonder what would happen if" in it, it's hypothetical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattbateman Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 you know as well as i do that i am right and you are wrong just say it dont read definitions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramadas Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 You people missed the fact that its against one of their laws to be obscene(or act obscene) in public. Hence the fines...if you're in a country you better respect their laws - otherwise pay the fuckin price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattbateman Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 if thats the law your right im wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramadas Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 Originally posted by pattbateman if thats the law your right im wrong "Police accused the pilot of showing contempt to authorities, a crime in Brazil, and escorted him to a federal courthouse for the possible filing of formal charges. "Full article...http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18434-2004Jan14.htmlI mean, doing that on camera...that was pretty damn stupid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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