[Patricklarvie]

So I called their "talk to the president" line (which lists a number that can be called collect from the US) and here's what happened:

- The number listed does not accept collect calls.
- When I finally got through (via Skype), I was connected to someone who told me that there was nothing that could be done and that I should send an email.
- The email addresses given to me (including the one on their website) didn't work and refused to accept email.

Fast forward three days, and I get a notice from United Airlines (I'm a UAL frequent flyer and used this # to get mileage on my TAM reservation). The message said that the itinerary had been changed and that the ticket needed to be reissued.

I called UA and, after waiting 30 minutes, was told that the TAM ticket was not valid because one of the flight segments had changed. I was told that they needed to reissue the ticket after accepting the change. I was further told that I had to call TAM and have them do this since United couldn't.

I called TAM and they told me that it was United's fault, that they would take no action and that there was no problem. I repeated that United told me that they would not accept the ticket as written and that I would be denied a boarding pass. Still, "Alejandro" (the total jerk in charge of the English speaking lines at TAM's Buenos Aires call center) assured me that this was my problem and that he would do nothing.

So far, this is precisely correct. TAM refuses to take action and I am without a valid ticket.

At this point, my only recourse is to call the credit card company and have them intervene. I will not fly TAM anywhere, for any reason.

Without a doubt, and without any caveats, I'm comfortable saying that TAM is the worst airline in the world, bar none. This is the lowest I've ever seen an airline sink.