da42pilot

Haven't heard from them in a while. Their website says they're still taking foreigners with 1000 hours, any ideas on first year FO pay?

Sniper66

COPA? Where are their bases?

Don Ramon

LOW. As in lower than US regionals. At least it was a few years ago.

mexipilot84

Thought they weren't hiring expats anymore. Doesn't say hiring captains anymore either.

Expat87

I just left after many years. Ill keep it simple and say donīt waste your time at Copa. From my first experience interviewing, until my last day turning in my badge, it is a constant struggle of finding out information and finding out who actually knows what is going on in the operation. The chief pilots will NEVER answer an email to you and good luck getting anyone to pick up a phone.

My upgrade experience was equally hilarious and frustrating. I suffered a 2 year delay in my upgrade because the AAC (FAA) in Panama decided to change the requirements for FOs to upgrade. Not Copaīs fault there but you see there are a myriad of problems in the government that also make it difficult to work.

Prices in Panama are also out of control. Food, apartments, cars... everything is more expensive then most of the US.

The money isnīt bad at Copa starting year 1 and when I went there it was significantly higher than in the US at a regional. Now you will make the same at the regionals in much better working conditions. The Reserve rules there are also outrageous and basically have you on a 2 hour call out for 14 hours. In that 13th hour they can call you for a 7 hour flight to Rio...

I could go on and on so feel free to PM me. I made my time in Panama fun and I avoided the Regional nightmare in the US 5 years ago but now I would NEVER advise someone to go there. The company just doesnīt care and they never will.

Ortizjr

So as a US pilot with 1000 hours I can expect to get hired as an FO?

If yes, what equipment would I start out flying.

Currently a flight instructor in the US and considering this option. Any recommendations?

Hawaiiankine808

Do not consider COPA as an option. It doesn't matter how badly you think flying at a regional is going to suck COPA is that multiplied by 10..DON'T do it. What Expat87 said above is very true. I was an FO on the 737 for about 2 years and actually left to go fly at a regional. No one knows what is going on. Everyone in management just points fingers at each other, no one takes responsibility for anything. The level of competency at all levels of the operation is mind numbing. Oh ya if you can't speak Spanish good luck calling crew scheduling. As soon as you say a word of english they will say "hello? hello? hello?" and hang up or say that they cannot hear you and hang up. They will only speak english when they are asking you to do something. Did I mention training takes 10 months and you have to PAY to convert your FAA license to the local AAC license and when you get typed its only an AAC SIC commercial type so if you were hoping to show that 737 rating off to US airlines and put it on your resume well then you gotta go pay to convert your AAC type to an FAA type. Also If you want to get paid like they advertised in the recruitment package you have to go pay and take the Panamanian ATP checkride then and only then will get paid what you thought you would.

Ortizjr

This seems like a nightmare. I was considering this option since they hire foreigners with 1000 hours and I do speak Spanish, but now after reading this thread I don't know.

Few questions though?
1) Approx how much will license conversion cost?
2) So the type rating they pay for? And what do you mean the type rating you get out there isn't valid in the US?
3) What would be the best option for a CFI with 1000 hours, just continue to 1500 and join regionals?

enrique757HN

With the bonuses you will get for regionals(for joining) and where you have a Pilot Union that actually works you will be much better in US regionals. I did my time in Copa and should have gotten out earlier. Rude people and then on top you get underpaid for a "world class airline" where you fly tough rosters. What was said above is true. Don't be fooled by the nice looking online Copa plane ads and PR. Not all is shiny as the leading edge of the engine cowling...
You pay around 2500-3000 dollars for like 3-4 general aviation flights for your license conversion (ripoff) and besides the cost of living in Panama is high. Salary doesn't improve with seniority like many places do.
Almost forgot to mention you need to pay for the uniforms too! I do believe they now give the wings and hat pin only.

Hawaiiankine808

1. I forgot the exact amount but i believe what was quoted in the last post was correct. Its a complete ripoff. Don't forget you have to get a new medical down there which is a complete pain. You have to goto the AAC office to get the form then take it to the doctor. After he does the exam you then have to take the medical back to the AAC for a damn stamp to make it official. Apply this logic or lack there of to everything you do in Panama.

2. Yes Copa pays for the AAC SIC type rating. Its not valid in the U.S. because its not a FAA 737 type that you have its an AAC type. If you want it to transfer to your FAA license you are going to have to pay on average around 10-14K at a training center in the states and do the check ride as if it was an initial PC.

3. If your goal is flying for a major yes i would goto a regional. Like others and myself have said Copa is not worth the headache.

Also I have not seen any U.S pilot hired at 1000 hours and I don't know if i would risk it at that level. The training is pretty tough and pretty much self taught. when you goto sim you are expected to show them how to do the maneuvers when you get there. They are not there to show you how to do it. You might get shown it maybe once before you are expected to perform and they don't have a high tolerance for foreign pilots failing. Each session felt like a mini check ride.