US Embassy warning about domestic airline flights within Colombia this weekend

Robert Jorge says on Jan 4, 2008, 19:27:

Thanks for the heads up. What cracks me up, is that the embassy advises people to never travel over land, but to fly. Now, US citizens are advised not to fly. And because of unsubstantiated information.

The other thing that cracks me up is the embassy puts their phone number in the report. Anybody here ever tried to actually call the embassy and get a live person ... especially an English speaking one from the US? Jajajajaja

BEWARE of gold diggers.

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nine inch nails says on Jan 4, 2008, 19:52:

They probably received enough threats and from enough different sources to substantiate the warning intracountry but hopefully is just some bureaucrat protecting their behind. Would suck if you had to pay a large change fee to change a flight.

Didn't one of the rebel groups almost shoot down a military helicopter with a missile last weekend?

"They know nothing, they know nothing." J. Cramer

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juancegomez says on Jan 4, 2008, 19:58:

Military helicopters or planes aren't usually comparable to commercial aircraft, for a start.

Btw, the Embassy itself puts it like this:

"This Warden Message is to alert American citizens traveling to or residing in Colombia that the Embassy has received unsubstantiated information regarding a threat to domestic airline flights in Colombia. As a precaution, all U.S. government employees and their dependents have been advised to consider postponing nonessential air travel within Colombia until this matter can be resolved.

This restriction will be in effect through Monday, January 7, 2008 unless otherwise amended. As always, U.S. citizens in Colombia should be proactive in taking security precautions. They should vary their travel routes and the times of their arrivals and departures, and remain aware of their surroundings. U.S. citizens in Colombia should always avoid large public gatherings or demonstrations."

A very short restriction, actually, and they were the ones who are using the term "unsubstantiated information".

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 4, 2008, 20:12:

At least the FARC now knows an easy way to get gringos out of the air -- where they're hard to kidnap -- and back on the roads where it's easier to do. Just make some unsubstantiated threats!

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nine inch nails says on Jan 4, 2008, 20:28:

"Military helicopters or planes aren't usually comparable to commercial aircraft, for a start."

To hell they aren't. Many military aircraft are unmarked and look very similar to commercial aircraft.

"They know nothing, they know nothing." J. Cramer

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nine inch nails says on Jan 4, 2008, 20:31:

and any time one travels in a war zone they are at risk period. This "warning" should be permanent.

Why the rebels haven't downed an Avianca or AA yet amazes me. They have the funding and could easily launch a SAM from some part of a jungle.

"They know nothing, they know nothing." J. Cramer

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durito says on Jan 4, 2008, 20:35:

The FARC has SAM's? Somehow I doubt it.

My flights on the 8th so I guess I'm ok. :)

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juancegomez says on Jan 4, 2008, 20:36:

nine inch nails: Your second post and your explicit amazement would tend to confirm what I just said, in practice.

They do shoot at plenty of military helicopters and army aircraft, but I don't recall any reports of commercial jets suffering the same fate. Which, at least, should tell you that there's not too much of a chance for confusion or they are deliberately being cautious.

Either way...the Embassy warning doesn't really say what is the specific nature of the threat. It could be a hijacking or a bomb, not a SAM.

Then again, they could always shoot down a commercial plane in a day, a week or a month, but until then...

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panthdave says on Jan 5, 2008, 04:18:

Threats has always been a tatic by these kind of groups and they work...but in this situation they can shoot down a plane at anytime which I hope none of the commercial airlines take routes over FARC controlled areas or areas where FARC are known to be in at least that would reduce the percentages..I guess...
Shit I just flew from Medellin to Cali was an excellent morning flight..they had no more seats in Medellin to Miami so had to fly to Cali to catch a flight out of there.
Its your time I guess its your time not going to stop me from flying local routes..Maybe I should fly Satena in the small planes less of a plane to hit

panthdave Miami

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Atrevido says on Jan 5, 2008, 04:35:

About eight years ago they launched some sort of rocket at a comercial jet leaving Barranquila...but missed. Actually I think if they put their resources into it they could probobly nail a comercial flight at least one of the prop planes.

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Chelesupercono says on Jan 5, 2008, 06:46:

The US Embassies that I have come in contact with over the last 30 years are useless and generally have no idea what is happening in the country.......that includes the CIA as has been demonstrated time and again.....I usually ignore warnings they issue....

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

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toneloc24 says on Jan 5, 2008, 07:02:

PBSH still has a pulse. People believe anything.

Common sense check: Why would FARC waste resources to shoot down a commercial domestic airline because a couple of Americans are on them?

There is no credible threat. The only credible threat would the threat of missing your flight this wkd due to overbooking, which is what I experienced on Avianca last wkd.

The US Embassy in Bogota is a joke. Why anyone would take them seriously and believe them beats the hell out of me. They are pretty useless and incompetent to the average American.

".....unsubstantiated information" means unverified and currently not credible.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jan 5, 2008, 07:09:

Except I think they were right about the Melgar story/warning from the Summer or Fall. It's their job to be 'safe rather than sorry' so I don't have a problem with their various warnings or advisories. If it's true, though, that the US embassy in Bogota is the 2nd largest in the world behind Iraq with something like 2000 people employed (I read that three or four years ago but don't have the source anymore), then they need a massive RIF (reduction in force). What the hell do all of those people do? All those clerks at the 30 or 40 visa windows -- their fat, lazy asses are sitting on Aeron chairs! $1000 Aeron chairs! They're supposed to be parking their carcasses on gun metal gray government surplus. What a money pit.

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Rob77 says on Jan 5, 2008, 07:17:

How long ago was it that an entire jet was highjacked right on the tarmack here?

BOYCOTT CITGO - CHAVEZ SUCKS!!!

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tomtom33 says on Jan 5, 2008, 09:17:

Working for the US Dept. of Labor, my fat ass rested on a gray government office chair for 9 years. And the gray chair pulled up to the gray desk. I did buy a nice brown blotter with my own money.

I remember once when the head of the Chicago Region for the Employment Standards Administration(a GS-17) personally called me to ask me to go over to look at the furniture at a Selective Service office that was being closed. One of the offices in the region needed some furniture, and he was looking for a deal.

The government I worked for was very frugal.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 5, 2008, 09:43:

Let me guess: They captured someone with a SAM and are looking for more?

Given how many SAMS are out there unaccounted for in the world, I'm of the mindset whenever I fly in Colombia or similar places that the bad guys have the means to take down a plane if they want but the odds are still in our favor.

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wendell13 says on Jan 5, 2008, 11:45:

Wait till something happens to a gringo here and they will be running to the US embassy in Bogota for help.....why don't some of you guys renounce your US citizenship if you feel this strongly?

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CatGirl says on Jan 5, 2008, 11:48:

Hmmm Domestic flights....does not sound like terrorist to me. Maybe at best a Domestic Violence issue..jajaja

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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tomtom33 says on Jan 5, 2008, 12:10:

Jeez Wendell, carping and complaining are favorite American pastimes. Then we whine. Then we sue. Apple pie.

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Chelesupercono says on Jan 5, 2008, 12:17:

Wait till something happens to a gringo here and they will be running to the US embassy in Bogota for help..
Wendell13.


Yes, thats a good point because there will be NO help so don't even bother to run, walk or low crawl.....they are about as useful as a fart in a sauna.....

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

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john_stark says on Jan 5, 2008, 12:20:

"Wait till something happens to a gringo here and they will be running to the US embassy in Bogota for help."

Trust me, that would be the last place on earth I would go for help. Any gringo who needs them for help has NO BUSINESS being in Colombia. The guys with the weapons - those are the guys a gringo needs on his side. Just don't take their women and tell Tio Sal I sent you.

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robi666 says on Jan 5, 2008, 12:33:

I always thought that the US embassy was a model of support for US citizen.
I can tell you by experience that the Italian embassy sucks. They are there to steal their salary and benefits and don't fucking care about anything or anybody else.
Nice to know that it is not the only one...

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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john_stark says on Jan 5, 2008, 12:56:

A model of support? Clearly you've never interacted with them. Anyone who has would cheerfully sell the whole lot of them to the FARC. Your tax dollars at work? NOT!

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ColombianoGringo says on Jan 5, 2008, 13:03:

I am not looking forward to dealing with these idiots in the near future. I have a low tolerance for bureaucratic jerkoffs.

Up to now, the only US consulate I've had to visit was the one in Amsterdam. I was 17 years old traveling through Europe with a buddy and I had just gotten my passport stolen in central station thanks to said buddy. The embassy staff were actually really nice and made it relatively painless to get a replacement.

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john_stark says on Jan 5, 2008, 13:09:

The US embassies and consulates in Europe are probably a lot different. They may even have US citizens working there as well as people who can speak English. The US embassy has neither.

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Chelesupercono says on Jan 5, 2008, 13:20:

Yes, thats a good point because there will be NO help so don't even bother to run, walk or low crawl.....they are about as useful as a fart in a sauna.....

never go to bed with someone crazier then you are, you will do it and you will regret it.......

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jan 5, 2008, 15:04:

I'm an American (USA variety) and I'd haul ass for the Canadian or UK embassies in a second if I were ever in a serious need of help. I'll never forget the scene after the tsunami when all the governments of the world were airlifting their people out of the disaster zone but the US State Dept just sort of froze up and left their citizens hanging.

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Tinto (Moderator) says on Jan 5, 2008, 15:30:

I'm beginning to think the US State Dept is just as incompetent at the top as the CIA. And the 'rot' is bi-partisan, spanning a couple of presidential administrations.

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wendell13 says on Jan 5, 2008, 15:42:

You can't really run to the US embassy in Bogota from Texas

Oh I am sure that if you get in some trouble here you are going to hire sicarios to settle every matter. Give me a break. Most of the people on PBH spend so much time here telling tall tales about Colombia...how in the heck do you have any time to personally experience anything?

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Lowell says on Jan 5, 2008, 15:54:

Still waiting now 17 months and no SS card for my daughter. Nothing but lame excuses and delays so far. I have to go to Bogota in June of this year. May visit them. Like it would do any good. I hear that they are brought to work in security vehicles. Is that to protect them from terrorists or from USA citizens that they've screwed with and screwed over? Loosers.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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toneloc24 says on Jan 5, 2008, 15:56:

"Wait till something happens to a gringo here and they will be running to the US embassy in Bogota for help.....why don't some of you guys renounce your US citizenship if you feel this strongly??"

You've apparently never been to the US Embassy in Bogota before. They could really care less if something happens to a gringo in Colombia. Many have previously gone in search of trouble, many have found them useless. Maybe one day, you'll find out also. That little blue passport isn't even a guarantee that your get into the complex. True story!!!!!

Now I can rave about my experience with the US Embassy in Lima Peru. They treated me like an American citizen. All I needed was to add pages to my passport.

I couldn't even get into the Bogota complex, two separate days. After walking around from entrance to entrance, as ordered by the Colombian guards working the entrances, they wouldn't even let me in, a moderately-dressed American citizen, during the hours open to the public. Imagine if there really were an emergency!!! And there wasn't any raised security level alert or anything going on. This was the experience.

At the Lima US Embassy complex, a month later, I was done with my business in less than 3 hours. I was allowed to enter, fill out the appropriate form, and was told to return in 2 hours. Came back, got what I came for, free of charge. Happy American citizen.

Renounce my citizenship??? Eat a dick.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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CatGirl says on Jan 5, 2008, 16:23:

Their website has changed recently too. There was a recent "scandal" or "issue" around the consular providing personal information about Americans? I don't know all the details, he is still there but does not reply to questions via email anymore.
Purrrr

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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john_stark says on Jan 5, 2008, 16:28:

They're probably too busy selling visas. They're a bunch of criminals just like the government they represent.

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tomtom33 says on Jan 5, 2008, 16:29:

While I, too, agree that government in general is pretty useless, I did have a good experience working for the Feds. My co-workers and superiors were generally top-notch people who were very competent.

I don't know how I got hired.

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CatGirl says on Jan 5, 2008, 16:30:

Hmmm..John - what do you mean "selling visas" is this rumor or fact?

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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john_stark says on Jan 5, 2008, 16:30:

You're not friends with the paracos, Wendell? Too bad, they're just a bunch of Colombian good ol boys.

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CatGirl says on Jan 5, 2008, 16:40:

John..OK...I get it. I think this is very common everywhere though. Puurr

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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john_stark says on Jan 5, 2008, 16:50:

Yes, they have been known to sell visas from time to time. You got enough dough and you talk to the right people, presto, you've got a visa.

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wendell13 says on Jan 5, 2008, 17:03:

toneloc...another internet tough guy

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Jan 5, 2008, 17:04:

That embassy it's going to drive you all nuts.

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goin_south says on Jan 5, 2008, 17:10:

well, it's all entertaining ... a few days ago on msn, there was an article about American Airlines testing some sort of anti-missle system on their commercial planes.

Where do we go from here?

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toneloc24 says on Jan 5, 2008, 17:38:

Windell - Let's stick to the topic. The US Embassy in Bogota. You don't want anything with me, internet or in person.

What's your experience with the US Embassy in BOGOTA been??? Let's hear it since you're defending them.

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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toneloc24 says on Jan 5, 2008, 17:51:

GIB - Funny. When I was in Bogota on Monday, everything in Zona Rosa and Parque 93 was closed, esp. at night. Only the 24 hr sandwich shop on 82 was open in Zona Rosa, and 2 restaurants and one pub/lounge were open on 93. This was after 10 pm. Some NYE celebration in the capital. I guess FARC scared the daylights out of the city????? Jajajaja!!!!

"Don't tase me, bro!!!!"

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aztec says on Jan 6, 2008, 08:56:

I for one trust the instinct of GIB. If I were in Bogotá today I would go out only to those places necessary.

One of the things learned (taught by my wife) is that you must pay attention to those uneasy feelings or internal warnings.

As humans we still have the primeval instinct to sense danger. It is just that we have learned to ignore or suppress it.

This is Colombia and not main street USA.

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RussianFred says on Jan 6, 2008, 09:47:

American Airlines 3pm flight for today, from MDE to MIA, has been canceled. I do they know something?
I will be on tommorrow's 9am flight. I hope this is not my last flight.

Annual Drug Deaths: Tobacco: 395,000, Alcohol: 125,000, 'Legal' Drugs: 38,000, Illegal Drug Overdoses: 5,200, Marijuana: 0. Considering government subsidies of tobacco, just what is our government protecting us from in the drug war?--Ralph Nader

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