I am now just finishing ground school here. I have to say the whole process until now was perfect, very challenging, very demanding, but they try their best to make your life easier. Now Sim and IOE will take some time, very long training because the lack of instructors.
Copa has good and bad things, like all airlines do.
About the screening, well I'm still trying to figure out what profile they are looking for. I think the psicological profile test and the interview are a big deal to them, more than people think. I have friends who I thought would pass, and did not. The truth is that Copa needs a lot of pilots not just because the expansion, but because trained and experienced line pilots are leaving looking for money.
The crew Visa will be done by Copa, you will receive in Panama all the instructions. And if you do not require a Visa to enter the USA as tourist, let's say EU passport, you do not need a Visa of any kind to apply.