I used to commute down to San Jose on TACA (Lacsa) when I was a semi wealthy airline pilot and could afford to build a house down there.
After 9/11, and everyone was cutting back, the pilots told be that they all had to double up in rooms on layovers. Completely a lay, i was never request it to share my room, in my 14 years, only the FA'S. They work 7 on 1 off sometimes and get paid peanuts. In COSTA RICA by law 6 on 1 off, and there is a bunch of days off in between, because the company does not want to pay the pilots to fly over 80 hours. peanuts true 5500 USD TAXABLE.
I asked them why they didn't get a union drive going and they responded that they would all be fired. TRUE, THEY HAVE TOO MUCH LEVERAGE.
My impression is if you can work even for the worse commuter in the U.S., you are better off. DON'T KNOW
I met a former LACSA pilot at Quepos last year who is flying a Cessna 210. They are suing TACA because a bunch of them got fired after TACA took over LACSA.
They are suing and winning because taca broke the contract it had at the time. It takes the legislative system in Costa Rica to award its winning pilots 11 years after the date of suing the company.
Costa Rican law, requires that you sue and remain active during that TIME.
I don't have a lot of current details, but overall I haven't heard a lot of good of TACA.
Buena Suerte.
BUENA SUERTE, YOU NEED TO BE COSTA RICAN TO FLY FOR LACSA, OR AT LEAST RESIDENCY. WITHOUT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE.
Tim[/quote]