Am I in the Wrong Departure Lounge?
The TAM ticket counter motioned toward a beautiful, large, black door. The kind you see when entering a ballroom. I glanced back over my shoulder at the ticket agent in uncertainty. They gave a nod and a smile. Was I selected for special treatment?
A gentleman opened the large black door for me. I immediately heard music. Okay, this is nice, but I need to get to the sugar refinery! Another agent checked my boarding pass and motioned me into the "lounge". This was it! This was TAM's departure lounge, complete with live music and hour d' oeuvres (translation: enough finger food for a small army).
My first thought was, hey, it's a long day ahead and maybe they aren't going to feed us at the sugar refinery. I nonchalantly walked up to the hour d'oeuvres counter and got something great to snack on.
I turned around and there they were. Two musicians. Playing wonderful background music, taking requests. This was so incredible, I had to get the camera out. Can you remember the last time they played live music and served free snacks for coach?
But you'll see; the food and music weren't the only freebies!