Pilot fined USD13,000 for “obscene gesture”

An American Airlines pilot has reportedly been fined nearly USD13,000 after “raising his middle finger in the classic gesture” to immigration officials in Brazil. According to the online news provider Ananova, Dale Robin Hersh made the offensive sign when he was being photographed for security purposes at Guaruhulos International Airport, at Sao Paolo. Brazil reportedly introduced strict new rules requiring Americans to be photographed and fingerprinted in retaliation for a similar regime introduced in the United States. Hersh was accused of “showing contempt to authorities”, which is in itself a crime in Brazil. The pilot reportedly agreed to pay the fine if no charges were brought, American Airlines has said sorry for what it reportedly called a “misunderstanding”.