Thanks for the info oagzz!

Garba

Garba, if you call to Panama and ask about colot blind ou daltonism is a problem,let us now if is really a problem or nt, cause a friend of mine has this and is little worried about it.

Thanks and good luck

so it appears they can only do a 3rd class medical with day flights only and then they send the papers to the US for other tests.

Good luck

G.

Medical
 

The initial medical is much stricter than the FAA Class I. All the usual stuff, but add in EKG, blood test and brain scan. After the initial your recurrent is the same as that required by the FAA.

Thanks lifemaster,

I'm used to that as I'm doing all except the brain scan for any recurrent where I live. However, I'm more concerned about this f..ing colour blindness. I can't imagine moving there without knowing if I can get it unrestricted overthere. It appears that they request FAA Class 1 only as there reference, so I guess if I get my FAA Class 1 without restriction, it will be ok colour-wise at least.

Rgds,

G

Agree with Peter
 

I will verify everything that Peter has said. Absolutely true. Can't say it was the worst decision coming here, but it's up there. Bad pay, Bad Schedules, Bad benefits, and although I don't have many problems with the flights crews per se, the Panamanian culture as a whole is about as rude and unwelcoming as they come.

At the moment they have more people leaving than coming in (due to the fantastic conditions), creating a shortage where they have canceled ALL vacations (in there words it's just reassigned to next year) through the end of the year, however, they keep trying to expand the operation. Very poor planning.

My 2 cents
 

Current FO on the Ng here and here's is what I can say.
New and well maintained aircraft , lots or routes for experience in your pocket.
Pay is VERY LOW as in Master Warning LOW.
Yes you have to spend money on certificates , uniform and pay to the union is mandatory by law. Vacations are being withdrawn due to the mess "lack of pilots" that scheduling makes. According to union the vacations can't be postponed unless the pilot agrees... I did not and still we're withdrawn. Training is ... Well...
Good luck

Hi next test in few weeks
 

Hey men can you help me? Im trying to figure out what i need to study for the knowledge test. Thanks men

No answer
 

On July 22 I received an email requesting some documents. I sent and until the moment got no answer. Does anybody know if this is normal?
I had heard that after the submission of documents, a recruiter sent an email to say that a file was being created. it is true?

I sent them off a month ago haven't heard anything. Apparently it does take a bit of time until you hear anything (if anything).

Copa interviews
 

@Garba 51 & others.
I guess some of you have been recently in Panama for an interview.
Can you please share with us? Give some info about the assessment and company's presentation? Number of Pilots they are looking to hire in 2014-15??? Thank you in advance!:

I applied in early July and forwarded all requested documents end of July. No response yet.

Copa airlines same situation
 

Hello aviators!
I sended my cv and they answered in one week., im studying phak and atp and jeppesen because i really dont know which are the bases of their knowledge tests., i have my screening interview at the end of august, please if some of u allready took the tests please sheer the screening interview info and topics for study. Have good flights

Reply
 

Could you be more specific? When you applied on the website?
When you sent the requested documents?
How long after sending the requested documents they invited you for the interview? Days, weeks?
When you sent the documents you received any email confirming the receipt?

Tanks!

Specific
 

I sended my cv on july 22 july 23 they answer me, july 29 i send my documents. July 31 they send me a screening interview invitation

Please .....
 

Hey men can you help me and give me some advice of focus in what i need to study for the exams? Thanks

Sorry
 

sorry, can't help you.
I never attended a screening interview on Copa Airlines.

Copa has requested my documents last week.

Does anybody know exactly what is the payment expected for FO ?

I would a full information if is posible with ours.

I'm actually Captain of Business Jet ( Citation ) in my country with good payment.

I would consider twice leaving your CAPT job for Copa. Ask around and get all thr facts straight. That said, good luck.

@MORALES0787 everything, regarding the interview process, is already explained in details previously in the other pages ;)

Where
 

Which oder pages men.
¿

Knowledge test
 

Hey aviator can you please help me and give me some advice for the knowledge test.¿
Is supported in the atp o handbook ?
And about simulator? Thanks a lot

MORALES0787,

Have you read the thread? or just the last page?
There are at least 6 very complete stories from people that have gone to the recruitment process in Panama, giving reviews about the exams and SIM evaluation.

Hi peeps.

Anybody received an email asking for some documents today or few days ago? If yes please private to me.

hello pilots in america
 

Hello i am from Buens aires, 14 and 15 of augost was the meetings for Copa, someone knows when are calling for interviews?.
Here the requierements were: 1000 flight hours, icao 4, first medical class.

Thanks for your opinion

Regards
Nosegears

People, really don't waste time and money coming here.
At this moment you are going to be on ground aprox 6 to 8 month before to start the first line training flight, thats mean not only be grounded means survive with only 1500 usd on hand and that is not enough to have a normal life here in Panamá.
They give you an apartment but you have a few weeks after your initial trng to left it, after that you are at your own and take in mind any normal aparment in a normal neighborhood cost aprox 1000 1500 usd with nothing inside.
To buy a car all the banks give you a loan, but you need more than one year of contract, without that you are lost and the public transportation here is a mess.
The company here treats you like a slave literally, they pick up your vacations and they are protected by the country's working laws, if you have a problem you are at your own.
They give you a health insurance program, ok, but if you have any health problem and you need a surgeon before the year of contrct you are lost you need to pay 3500 usd for an emergency intervention.
If you are looking for a type rating, ok, come take it and leave this slavery company fast, if you have a work pls really dont leave it to come here,any other airline is better than this one.
Be prepared for a very bad salary ( F/O normally 3200 usd on hand), vey bad schedulle (usually night flights or 5 dayds flights wake ups 0300 am)
Everybody here is looking something better to leave.

Good luck and i really hope that this can help to someone

I really dont what to think, here in Bs. As Tell us that if you pass the exams they contract you for 3 years with the mínimum Pay 3700, then if you obtain the panamenian licence pays you 4500?????

You get paid every month ( when you are flying ) your salary minus taxes and after a certain amount of hours, you get the per diem.
If you are applying as a F/O, and once you get hired, you have to take the Panamanian License. ( two flights in a seneca ).
After six months in the company, you can do your ATP ( depending on your hours ) and get 850$ more at the end of the month.

Hey people, do you know someone that tried again the screening interview? I got an interview on february 2014, but, unfortunately i wasn't hired. Is it common Copa send the emails again for another opportunity?

Not everything said here is true, always remember that. Some people are very happy and some people hate it, the thing is where do they come from. If you come from flying a small airplane, barely getting paid, and this is your first time in the airlines it's a great place to be. Some Americans and guys from other countries come here expecting the type of benefits the airlines offer back home, and they forget they are not home, and they also forget that Copa offers better benefits than most of the airlines in South America.

You will get 1500$ a month, you will only have to pay for your food as the training housing has everything. The contract says that after the simulator you have 30 days to find a place of your own, and you will get 1100$ extra for per diem, plus the representation expenses for the ATP (Right after you have your commercial you can do your ATP, no need to wait). It is true the training can take about 10 months, and most of the time you will be free in Panama, if you are smart you will spend your free time home.

As for me I am very happy. In training I'm getting paid 3 times more than in my last job flying 80hrs in a widebody jet every night, on call with no schedule. So for me Copa has great benefits, others might think different.

Hey people, do you know someone that tried the screening interviews again? I got an interview on february in this year, but, unfortunately i wasn't hired. Is it common Copa call again for a second opportunity?

Thanks!

COPA Comedy Airlines
 

Having started the interview process in March 2014.
I did not hear anything for approximately 4 months, then a late night email to show up in PTY the next day for a meeting with the Psycho. Psychologist and her over worked and by polar assistant. I can attest personally that everything i experienced during my two tours to PTY are 100% in line with what was said by Peter Rojas and others that i met and spoke with personally while in PTY

I have noted that most of the South American and Mexican pilots will complain under their breath in Spanish about the Panamanian attitude towards everyone. But as has been seen here will not be identified.
Because they know that this is as good as it gets for them.

6 months later i have not been notified by COPA whether i have passed or failed,slipped thru the cracks you say? However as for me my ship has sailed. And even if i were offered a job at this stage would i go back to them.

I was warned of this Panamanian while i was there, and my good friends who were forma COPA Captains, and now,are now inspectors with the Panamanian CAA and who actually over see COPA operations on the B737 and E190 also cautioned me about the attitude of COPA Management toward the pilots.

So for those who cannot do any better than COPA. then this is your future. And for those who want to do better, then you need to look beyond COPA.

Wishing you a Happy Landing.
S. Stains
HMS Bona Venture.

How long does the instruction last for a f/o with more than 550 hours on the 737???

Thanks

Betuneen 8 and 9 months until you have been released

any chance of finding a job at COPA with these qualifications:

faa atp
850 jet time on 737NG...not current
3300 hrs TT

* i do NOT speak spanish at all.

Spanish required
 

No. You need spanish

You can apply, spanish is not a must at all. A lot of Captains and FO do not speak spanish.

For captains is not completly necessary but for FO it is. I don't know any FO that doesn't speak Spanish, well just one. Even the Brasil people speaks spanish.

Brazilians usually don't speak spanish... We try, as the language, somehow is similar to portuguese.

To tell you the truth, don't knowing how to properly speak spanish bothers me a lot ! I hate using portuguese words while trying to talk in spanish. I feel like a fool :(.

Yeap, I'm brazilian. No, I don't work for COPA... But I do know a few guys who are working there and they, at least until going to Panama, didn't know how to REALLY speak spanish.