COPA Airlines (Panama)
09-12-2012 | 12:56 PM
#41
Thread Starter
Enjoys working weekend
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Well all the best to you either way. In fact this leave more chance for me, lol.
As for me, there is no better opportunity I can possibly get. At my airline, I already had to do that only to have some troubles later (won't post it on the forum, but I didn't fail anything). That was I wanted to talk to you about.
Do you mind telling me what your times are, and 121 experience if any? I am trying to see what kind of experience are they contacting.
As for me, there is no better opportunity I can possibly get. At my airline, I already had to do that only to have some troubles later (won't post it on the forum, but I didn't fail anything). That was I wanted to talk to you about.
Do you mind telling me what your times are, and 121 experience if any? I am trying to see what kind of experience are they contacting.
By the way license conversion itself is $2500+ and bunch of other hidden costs.
09-12-2012 | 01:01 PM
#42
Thread Starter
Enjoys working weekend
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
09-13-2012 | 08:44 AM
#43
Line Holder
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 590
Likes: 3
From: B777
I worked for COPA and a 737NG Capt in PTY.
I cannot speak for the FO "deal" I am sure it is crap as I remember that they had to pay $2500 to convert to a Panama certificate. That is not for CAPTAINS, however we had to pay various "fee's" (read BRIBE'S) and some of that was paid back by COPA.
I worked for a Bolivian Carrier on a wet lease contract a few years back so here is my experience:
1. The job is crap. They treat gringos like hired help and the Panama Pilots get priority in trips/layovers--just a fact of life.
2. You will work with VERY few days off. It was very hard to get a Jumpseat out of Panama ---its all about "control"
3. Pay is a mess---figure you will get around $6000-7000 a month as a 737NG Capt. The cost of living in Panama is NOT CHEAP! Trust me I had to figure that one on my own. It is cheaper to live in the USA.
4. Panama has VERY LITTLE LATIN CULTURE compared to other countries I have lived. The people in Panama are LAZY and very incompetent in what they do. This will drive you crazy after awhile.
5. Plan on not commuting, very little time off, low pay, no schedule as it will change all the time, LONG GROUND SCHOOL-SIM-IOE--like 5-6 months!
If you need to go there and there is NOTHING else--go get a "free" type on the 737NG and 500-1000 hours and bail---like 75% of expat pilots do....COPA plans on this and they are happy that you do not stick around.
ALSO--and this is important DO NOT SIGN ANY TRAINING AGREEMENT--tell them you want to look it over and have your Lawyer view it---put it in your flight bag and never give it back. SCREW THEM! $36,000 training contract that they use as a "GUN TO THE HEAD"
I had a good time in PTY. No regrets--however if they ran the airline like other South American Carriers like Avianca, LAN, TAM, etc....I would still be there! They are very "different" and sometimes you have to go see for yourself!
I cannot speak for the FO "deal" I am sure it is crap as I remember that they had to pay $2500 to convert to a Panama certificate. That is not for CAPTAINS, however we had to pay various "fee's" (read BRIBE'S) and some of that was paid back by COPA.
I worked for a Bolivian Carrier on a wet lease contract a few years back so here is my experience:
1. The job is crap. They treat gringos like hired help and the Panama Pilots get priority in trips/layovers--just a fact of life.
2. You will work with VERY few days off. It was very hard to get a Jumpseat out of Panama ---its all about "control"
3. Pay is a mess---figure you will get around $6000-7000 a month as a 737NG Capt. The cost of living in Panama is NOT CHEAP! Trust me I had to figure that one on my own. It is cheaper to live in the USA.
4. Panama has VERY LITTLE LATIN CULTURE compared to other countries I have lived. The people in Panama are LAZY and very incompetent in what they do. This will drive you crazy after awhile.
5. Plan on not commuting, very little time off, low pay, no schedule as it will change all the time, LONG GROUND SCHOOL-SIM-IOE--like 5-6 months!
If you need to go there and there is NOTHING else--go get a "free" type on the 737NG and 500-1000 hours and bail---like 75% of expat pilots do....COPA plans on this and they are happy that you do not stick around.
ALSO--and this is important DO NOT SIGN ANY TRAINING AGREEMENT--tell them you want to look it over and have your Lawyer view it---put it in your flight bag and never give it back. SCREW THEM! $36,000 training contract that they use as a "GUN TO THE HEAD"
I had a good time in PTY. No regrets--however if they ran the airline like other South American Carriers like Avianca, LAN, TAM, etc....I would still be there! They are very "different" and sometimes you have to go see for yourself!
09-16-2012 | 07:41 AM
#44
Line Holder
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Copa Airlines
I worked for COPA and a 737NG Capt in PTY.
I cannot speak for the FO "deal" I am sure it is crap as I remember that they had to pay $2500 to convert to a Panama certificate. That is not for CAPTAINS, however we had to pay various "fee's" (read BRIBE'S) and some of that was paid back by COPA.
I worked for a Bolivian Carrier on a wet lease contract a few years back so here is my experience:
1. The job is crap. They treat gringos like hired help and the Panama Pilots get priority in trips/layovers--just a fact of life.
2. You will work with VERY few days off. It was very hard to get a Jumpseat out of Panama ---its all about "control"
3. Pay is a mess---figure you will get around $6000-7000 a month as a 737NG Capt. The cost of living in Panama is NOT CHEAP! Trust me I had to figure that one on my own. It is cheaper to live in the USA.
4. Panama has VERY LITTLE LATIN CULTURE compared to other countries I have lived. The people in Panama are LAZY and very incompetent in what they do. This will drive you crazy after awhile.
5. Plan on not commuting, very little time off, low pay, no schedule as it will change all the time, LONG GROUND SCHOOL-SIM-IOE--like 5-6 months!
If you need to go there and there is NOTHING else--go get a "free" type on the 737NG and 500-1000 hours and bail---like 75% of expat pilots do....COPA plans on this and they are happy that you do not stick around.
ALSO--and this is important DO NOT SIGN ANY TRAINING AGREEMENT--tell them you want to look it over and have your Lawyer view it---put it in your flight bag and never give it back. SCREW THEM! $36,000 training contract that they use as a "GUN TO THE HEAD"
I had a good time in PTY. No regrets--however if they ran the airline like other South American Carriers like Avianca, LAN, TAM, etc....I would still be there! They are very "different" and sometimes you have to go see for yourself!
I cannot speak for the FO "deal" I am sure it is crap as I remember that they had to pay $2500 to convert to a Panama certificate. That is not for CAPTAINS, however we had to pay various "fee's" (read BRIBE'S) and some of that was paid back by COPA.
I worked for a Bolivian Carrier on a wet lease contract a few years back so here is my experience:
1. The job is crap. They treat gringos like hired help and the Panama Pilots get priority in trips/layovers--just a fact of life.
2. You will work with VERY few days off. It was very hard to get a Jumpseat out of Panama ---its all about "control"
3. Pay is a mess---figure you will get around $6000-7000 a month as a 737NG Capt. The cost of living in Panama is NOT CHEAP! Trust me I had to figure that one on my own. It is cheaper to live in the USA.
4. Panama has VERY LITTLE LATIN CULTURE compared to other countries I have lived. The people in Panama are LAZY and very incompetent in what they do. This will drive you crazy after awhile.
5. Plan on not commuting, very little time off, low pay, no schedule as it will change all the time, LONG GROUND SCHOOL-SIM-IOE--like 5-6 months!
If you need to go there and there is NOTHING else--go get a "free" type on the 737NG and 500-1000 hours and bail---like 75% of expat pilots do....COPA plans on this and they are happy that you do not stick around.
ALSO--and this is important DO NOT SIGN ANY TRAINING AGREEMENT--tell them you want to look it over and have your Lawyer view it---put it in your flight bag and never give it back. SCREW THEM! $36,000 training contract that they use as a "GUN TO THE HEAD"
I had a good time in PTY. No regrets--however if they ran the airline like other South American Carriers like Avianca, LAN, TAM, etc....I would still be there! They are very "different" and sometimes you have to go see for yourself!
Do you know who is in charge as far as HR and any available contact email?
How is the situation relating to recruiting process?
Thanks
09-16-2012 | 07:22 PM
#45
Line Holder
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: CRJ FO
I worked for COPA and a 737NG Capt in PTY.
I cannot speak for the FO "deal" I am sure it is crap as I remember that they had to pay $2500 to convert to a Panama certificate. That is not for CAPTAINS, however we had to pay various "fee's" (read BRIBE'S) and some of that was paid back by COPA.
I worked for a Bolivian Carrier on a wet lease contract a few years back so here is my experience:
1. The job is crap. They treat gringos like hired help and the Panama Pilots get priority in trips/layovers--just a fact of life.
2. You will work with VERY few days off. It was very hard to get a Jumpseat out of Panama ---its all about "control"
3. Pay is a mess---figure you will get around $6000-7000 a month as a 737NG Capt. The cost of living in Panama is NOT CHEAP! Trust me I had to figure that one on my own. It is cheaper to live in the USA.
4. Panama has VERY LITTLE LATIN CULTURE compared to other countries I have lived. The people in Panama are LAZY and very incompetent in what they do. This will drive you crazy after awhile.
5. Plan on not commuting, very little time off, low pay, no schedule as it will change all the time, LONG GROUND SCHOOL-SIM-IOE--like 5-6 months!
If you need to go there and there is NOTHING else--go get a "free" type on the 737NG and 500-1000 hours and bail---like 75% of expat pilots do....COPA plans on this and they are happy that you do not stick around.
ALSO--and this is important DO NOT SIGN ANY TRAINING AGREEMENT--tell them you want to look it over and have your Lawyer view it---put it in your flight bag and never give it back. SCREW THEM! $36,000 training contract that they use as a "GUN TO THE HEAD"
I had a good time in PTY. No regrets--however if they ran the airline like other South American Carriers like Avianca, LAN, TAM, etc....I would still be there! They are very "different" and sometimes you have to go see for yourself!
I cannot speak for the FO "deal" I am sure it is crap as I remember that they had to pay $2500 to convert to a Panama certificate. That is not for CAPTAINS, however we had to pay various "fee's" (read BRIBE'S) and some of that was paid back by COPA.
I worked for a Bolivian Carrier on a wet lease contract a few years back so here is my experience:
1. The job is crap. They treat gringos like hired help and the Panama Pilots get priority in trips/layovers--just a fact of life.
2. You will work with VERY few days off. It was very hard to get a Jumpseat out of Panama ---its all about "control"
3. Pay is a mess---figure you will get around $6000-7000 a month as a 737NG Capt. The cost of living in Panama is NOT CHEAP! Trust me I had to figure that one on my own. It is cheaper to live in the USA.
4. Panama has VERY LITTLE LATIN CULTURE compared to other countries I have lived. The people in Panama are LAZY and very incompetent in what they do. This will drive you crazy after awhile.
5. Plan on not commuting, very little time off, low pay, no schedule as it will change all the time, LONG GROUND SCHOOL-SIM-IOE--like 5-6 months!
If you need to go there and there is NOTHING else--go get a "free" type on the 737NG and 500-1000 hours and bail---like 75% of expat pilots do....COPA plans on this and they are happy that you do not stick around.
ALSO--and this is important DO NOT SIGN ANY TRAINING AGREEMENT--tell them you want to look it over and have your Lawyer view it---put it in your flight bag and never give it back. SCREW THEM! $36,000 training contract that they use as a "GUN TO THE HEAD"
I had a good time in PTY. No regrets--however if they ran the airline like other South American Carriers like Avianca, LAN, TAM, etc....I would still be there! They are very "different" and sometimes you have to go see for yourself!
09-17-2012 | 12:45 AM
#47
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
From: Contract purgatory
Ambar Rodriguez
[email protected]
ph: 304-2838
Pretty good at replying to emails so if you qualify you should hear back in short order.
[email protected]
ph: 304-2838
Pretty good at replying to emails so if you qualify you should hear back in short order.
09-18-2012 | 06:30 PM
#48
On Reserve
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
I have 1050 tt piston all, 300 me 800 PIC
I went to the Aerocrew Job fair in March, talked to their people and gave them all the papers... they told me to update the web profile and that the Fo recruiting process was gonna be starting around August.
Havent received an email yet.
Last edited by dlcmdrx; 09-18-2012 at 06:51 PM.
11-07-2012 | 11:32 AM
#50
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: MD88 CA
Amazing. You could tell recruits "At Copa, the FO holds a gun to your head on approach. If you deviate from the GS more then a dot, he blows your brains out and takes the controls from your bleeding corpse." Desperate and ignorant pilots will still line up to interview.
I don't get it. This place is a dump. Have some integrity people.
I don't get it. This place is a dump. Have some integrity people.
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