Detained

We haven’t even landed in Latin America yet, and we’re already being threatened with detention—not for investigating the counterfeit cigarette trade, but for theft.

As the plane descends, a terse flight attendant announces that a pin and some other American Airlines insignia have disappeared from a cabin crew member’s uniform.

If the decorations aren’t returned promptly, she thunders, the passengers will not be allowed to disembark in Rio de Janeiro.

This being a U.S. airline, pins are considered a security threat.