COPA Interview
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COPA Interview
Just wanted to know if anyone here works for COPA and what the interview process is like?
Last edited by Wish4rs6; 20th Nov 2007 at 01:40.
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Everything went well. Seems like they have their ducks in a row as far Admin goes. Interview was mostly HR questions and previous experience. Out of ten, 3 were invited to go to Panama and take the "physco-metric tests" polygraph and a flight evaluation.. I'm leaving today for Panama and will let all know of the outcome and gouges. 
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Wish4:
I hope everything goes well for you!
I would like to know what salary was offered to you. Please.
And, how do you see the time for upgrade in case you are hired as a FO?.
Thanks a lot!!!
Cheers
AA
I hope everything goes well for you!
I would like to know what salary was offered to you. Please.
And, how do you see the time for upgrade in case you are hired as a FO?.
Thanks a lot!!!
Cheers
AA
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Hello all!
Flew to Panama on 28/11/07 in the evening. Arrived in Panama around 6pm. Greeted outside by a COPA driver to take us to the Hotel. Next morning started off at about 900am with a Polygraph (lie detector) test. Fun stuff and done by a very nice guy. After that went to COPA's main offices for the written evaluations. Again more fun stuff. We were then invited to lunch in COPA's cafeteria. Which is very nice.
Flight Eval followed in the evening at an airport in the city of Panama. Basic flying skills are checked along with English capabilities and BIG on IFR procedures. Intercepting radials/ Outbound courses from VORS/ Holds, and approaches. I think thing they were mostly looking for procedure and CRM.
After the flight eval we were taken to the airport for a return flight back home.
I since then have been offered a job @ COPA and proud to say that I am taking it. I believe its a great airline with very nice people.
Any questions, I would be than happy to answer. and for those curious about pay?!?! It depends on person and experience. Upgrade times haven't been discussed either..
Godspeed.
Flew to Panama on 28/11/07 in the evening. Arrived in Panama around 6pm. Greeted outside by a COPA driver to take us to the Hotel. Next morning started off at about 900am with a Polygraph (lie detector) test. Fun stuff and done by a very nice guy. After that went to COPA's main offices for the written evaluations. Again more fun stuff. We were then invited to lunch in COPA's cafeteria. Which is very nice.
Flight Eval followed in the evening at an airport in the city of Panama. Basic flying skills are checked along with English capabilities and BIG on IFR procedures. Intercepting radials/ Outbound courses from VORS/ Holds, and approaches. I think thing they were mostly looking for procedure and CRM.
After the flight eval we were taken to the airport for a return flight back home.
I since then have been offered a job @ COPA and proud to say that I am taking it. I believe its a great airline with very nice people.
Any questions, I would be than happy to answer. and for those curious about pay?!?! It depends on person and experience. Upgrade times haven't been discussed either..
Godspeed.
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Good to hear that your experiences went well at COPA.
I have a few questions. 1) I assume you are not Panamanian (seeing as you list your location as Guatemala). Can you please give some more information as far as COPA's policy now goes towards hiring non-Panamanians (is it only Central Americans, or only Latin Americans, or is it open season)?
2) How many people did you meet who were also being assessed by COPA? Can you give a representative idea of background qualifications of most of the guys who they were assessing?
I have a few questions. 1) I assume you are not Panamanian (seeing as you list your location as Guatemala). Can you please give some more information as far as COPA's policy now goes towards hiring non-Panamanians (is it only Central Americans, or only Latin Americans, or is it open season)?
2) How many people did you meet who were also being assessed by COPA? Can you give a representative idea of background qualifications of most of the guys who they were assessing?
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PJ,
1/ No, I'm not Panamanian. I do live in Guatemala but I am American. I am married to a Guatemalan. So to answer your question.. I think its Open season.
2/ I flew to Panama with 2 other Guatemalans. Both having a lot of flying experience. One was flying DC9's in Africa and prior to Africa was here in Guatemala flying for Tikal Jets. The other has been flying SAAB 340's here in Guatemala and has a good 2000 hours. Mostly very nice and very professional well trained pilots.
1/ No, I'm not Panamanian. I do live in Guatemala but I am American. I am married to a Guatemalan. So to answer your question.. I think its Open season.
2/ I flew to Panama with 2 other Guatemalans. Both having a lot of flying experience. One was flying DC9's in Africa and prior to Africa was here in Guatemala flying for Tikal Jets. The other has been flying SAAB 340's here in Guatemala and has a good 2000 hours. Mostly very nice and very professional well trained pilots.
Last edited by Wish4rs6; 1st Dec 2007 at 16:05.
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Hi, I allready applyed. I have olnly 300 hours. I know the minimums are 250, but they díd´t call me for an intervew. Do you know how much are the "real minimums"???
Thank you
Thank you
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At the risk of making this sound brutally candid, "Welcome to the world of airlines, rayward."
Airlines are not unlike any other business. They will take the best available to them at the moment. Wish4rs6's qualifications should give you an idea of the caliber of aplicants they are getting, although I don't think that means they trashed your application. Yes, you meet their minimums. It is just that unless they are getting more attractive applicants. Unfortunately, 250 hours is the bare bone minimums-- you have a licence and a pulse.
It's kind of like you looking for a date on a Friday night. Minimum requirements are that her height/weight be somewhat in proportion, not slobber or have flatulance problems, and not pick your pocket while you are dancing with her or tell you she has a dreadful communicable disease while you are undressing her. There are millions of young females who meet these minimum requirements, however, if Sofia Vergara shows up, of course, you will probably pick her.
If you are Panamanian this is probably something in your favor, although it probably does not trump thousands of hours of experience. On the other hand, if you do not have at least some kind of Central American ties, you are probably far from the target.
Airlines are not unlike any other business. They will take the best available to them at the moment. Wish4rs6's qualifications should give you an idea of the caliber of aplicants they are getting, although I don't think that means they trashed your application. Yes, you meet their minimums. It is just that unless they are getting more attractive applicants. Unfortunately, 250 hours is the bare bone minimums-- you have a licence and a pulse.
It's kind of like you looking for a date on a Friday night. Minimum requirements are that her height/weight be somewhat in proportion, not slobber or have flatulance problems, and not pick your pocket while you are dancing with her or tell you she has a dreadful communicable disease while you are undressing her. There are millions of young females who meet these minimum requirements, however, if Sofia Vergara shows up, of course, you will probably pick her.
If you are Panamanian this is probably something in your favor, although it probably does not trump thousands of hours of experience. On the other hand, if you do not have at least some kind of Central American ties, you are probably far from the target.
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Polygraph? I'm curious as to what kind of questions they asked there.
4th December 2007 05:17
4th December 2007 05:17
. But I'd imagine that there would be some kind of non-disclosure agreement no?
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The polygraph test is a basic lie detector test and I imagine its in place to determine honesty.. beyond that I wont go due to disclosure reasons.
Godspeed!
Godspeed!
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Is it actually happening?
Hi guys - as some of you might know, COPAs minimums are 250/MULTI/COM.
I'm Panameno, wrapping up my commercial and expect to be applying at COPA come February. I would like to know if COPA is ACTUALLY ---HIRING--- with these minimums. If so, how common has it been?
I've found it quite difficult to find information on COPA and whats been "brewing" in their HR department. The only REAL info I know about has come from this forum and the actual COPA site.
I'm trying educate myself on whats been going on, so ANY information would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
I'm Panameno, wrapping up my commercial and expect to be applying at COPA come February. I would like to know if COPA is ACTUALLY ---HIRING--- with these minimums. If so, how common has it been?
I've found it quite difficult to find information on COPA and whats been "brewing" in their HR department. The only REAL info I know about has come from this forum and the actual COPA site.
I'm trying educate myself on whats been going on, so ANY information would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
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No surprise really, COPA Airlines has hired DEC's over many years. In fact, the better chance of getting in as a non-Panamanian to COPA has been as a DEC.
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Hi all,
I am a British and South African Citizen - been living in South Africa (Love this beautiful country but its deteriorating) for 10 years now. Im doing contract work all over Africa and have about 1100 hours and 100 multi. Just got captaincy on the twin otter. Oh, and I must mention my licence is ICAO. We are planning on moving to Panama. I wanted to know if I can apply to Copa Airlines with my experience and nationality and ICAO licence. Also, I wanted to know if I can get the whole application and hopefully, interview, completed with a few visits to Panama only rather then moving and then only applying. I have read all similar posts to mine but the answer has not yet been given to my question - I can not get the contact details of the correct people to apply/contact for pilot work with Copa. Please can some ppl assist. I realise that flying jobs are scarce there. Oh, and then one last thing - I'm Jewish - Is that generally a problem in Latin America?
thanks
I am a British and South African Citizen - been living in South Africa (Love this beautiful country but its deteriorating) for 10 years now. Im doing contract work all over Africa and have about 1100 hours and 100 multi. Just got captaincy on the twin otter. Oh, and I must mention my licence is ICAO. We are planning on moving to Panama. I wanted to know if I can apply to Copa Airlines with my experience and nationality and ICAO licence. Also, I wanted to know if I can get the whole application and hopefully, interview, completed with a few visits to Panama only rather then moving and then only applying. I have read all similar posts to mine but the answer has not yet been given to my question - I can not get the contact details of the correct people to apply/contact for pilot work with Copa. Please can some ppl assist. I realise that flying jobs are scarce there. Oh, and then one last thing - I'm Jewish - Is that generally a problem in Latin America?
thanks