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Any COPA news?

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Old 12-05-2009, 07:07 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by Lou Reed View Post
just the basics, health/retirement......I'm not arguing with you, just sounds terrible if they're not gettin any!

When I flew for TACA (LACSA in Costa Rica) we where the highest paid pilots in the region. As a Cap I was earning $5200 monthly including the perdiem. That's flying 85 h/s montly with no transportion or housing allowance. AIG health care, and no retirement plans by the company, only SS from the CR Gov. around $300 montly deducted.

COPA recently decided to cancelled future expats hiring. An remove all foreign contracts.
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Old 12-05-2009, 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by jet320 View Post
When I flew for TACA (LACSA in Costa Rica) we where the highest paid pilots in the region. As a Cap I was earning $5200 monthly including the perdiem. That's flying 85 h/s montly with no transportion or housing allowance. AIG health care, and no retirement plans by the company, only SS from the CR Gov. around $300 montly deducted.

COPA recently decided to cancelled future expats hiring. An remove all foreign contracts.
WOW!!! And I thought things were bad at the US regionals! I'm guessing you were an airbus skipper?
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Old 12-28-2009, 07:18 PM
  #13  
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I think it's a bit premature to say that COPA isn't hiring anymore expats. The hiring seems to have ceased due to some new restrictions due to the Gov't but that's about it. As I've mentioned in the past the pay isn't way up there but it's secure, and it's enough to get you by and then some. The concept of commuting at COPA isn't exactly "commuting", I mean you can commute but it's getting difficult due to the schedules and day-off requests. And the benefits are still around and more than likely will be around for as long as theres a need for expats. There are almost 13 new 737-800 coming and I not sure they are going to be a able to squeeze out of the 3,360,474panamanians the 200+ pilots they need in time. It's simple, Supply and Demand. I guess we'll just have to see what happens.
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Old 12-29-2009, 04:11 AM
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I think it's a bit premature to say that COPA isn't hiring anymore expats.
Dead nuts on!


The hiring seems to have ceased due to some new restrictions due to the Gov't but that's about it.
Direct from the horse's mouth sort to say... A Copa TRE in our group, interviewing with a carrier overseas said they are awaiting delivery of a dozen NGs. To economize, no contracts will be issued to either nationals or expats until delivery dates, and routes are set up for each aircraft.

Very low pay and very poor benefits provided by Copa to new crewmembers.

I gave line training to former Copa crews going back 5 years ago. The Diaspora from Copa before then for the above reason.
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Old 01-04-2010, 03:28 PM
  #15  
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Ok it's official, Copa began it's hiring process once again. Unfortunately for right now it's just Nationals. I'll find-out when the class for ex-pat FOs and CAs is gonna be.
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Old 01-25-2010, 10:13 AM
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Any word on if Expat FO's (non-spanish speaking) are being hired at the moment? Met a COPA crew in the van in IAD last night. The skipper said they were, but just want to hear it again.... anyone?

Thanks.
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Old 01-29-2010, 01:37 PM
  #17  
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It is a pity that foreign pilots are discriminated by the Panamanian pilots union. That's why many are leaving to other countries.
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Old 01-29-2010, 05:19 PM
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Poorpilot is it even worth putting in your resume and application? My g/f is panamanian and can give me the right plug for necessary immigration requirements. But I see 1000hrs for foreign pilots and lower for Panamanian pilots. How stiff is competition here? New expats i assume start out on the 190? I am trying in Mexico as well for Aeromexico Connect and Click Mexicana, but competition is fierce and so are all the hurdles the government keeps throwing in for pilots. I hope COPA can be good opportunity.
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Old 02-02-2010, 07:02 AM
  #19  
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It's worth a shot if you can deal with the BS. You've surely read about the pros and cons of flying at Copa. They'll be needing lot's of people in the next couple of years just keep your CV updated and your flight time will only matter depending on how desperate they are. When you're hired they seperate the classes for the aircraft depending on demand. You have greater probabilities of flying the Boeing since the E-190s are being fased out and more 800 are coming. I would honestly say that you are going to have to deal with less BS in Panama than in Mexico. And frankly, I feel that your going to have better quality of life in PTY.
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Old 02-08-2010, 09:01 AM
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Poorpilot,
It won't allow me to respond to your email because your email box is full. Please let me know when you make space so I can send you the PM with some info. Thanks!
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