Copa Airlines

Jet said:
Does anybody know the starting hourly pay at Copa? First and second year? I'm just asking for a friend of mine who might be a good fit with them. I can't find this info on any other website either.
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Skåning said:
Sidious do those numbers look accurate to you?
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Yes thats pretty accurate in terms of hours working. If you are on the EMB you will usually not break guarantee but on the Boeing you always will fly 85-95 hrs a month.

I have not heard a max age for FOs but the minimum is 21.
 
Pretty good information on here.

How does copa decide who gets to fly what equipment?
What is the average age for FO?
 
b7474ever said:
Pretty good information on here.

How does copa decide who gets to fly what equipment?
What is the average age for FO?
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They peer into a crystal ball and whatever the gods say happens. That's probably not far from the truth but it's based on need. Most go to the Boeing because there are more and that is all they are buying now. However as they move guys from the EMB for upgrade and whatnot, they do have classes to replace them as well.

Average age of an FO? I have no idea but I would guess around 30. There are not many older FOs because either you upgrade or you go somewhere else. I have seen 21 year old FOs here too (minimum age and they are Panamanian.) I was 24 when I was hired (straight gringo y no habla.)
 
Sidious said:
They peer into a crystal ball and whatever the gods say happens. That's probably not far from the truth but it's based on need. Most go to the Boeing because there are more and that is all they are buying now. However as they move guys from the EMB for upgrade and whatnot, they do have classes to replace them as well.

Average age of an FO? I have no idea but I would guess around 30. There are not many older FOs because either you upgrade or you go somewhere else. I have seen 21 year old FOs here too (minimum age and they are Panamanian.) I was 24 when I was hired (straight gringo y no habla.)
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Wow..24 years old. That's young as hell if you are flying the 737. This motivates me to get my hours and apply there. Yo tambien no habla espanol. Ehh...un poquito
 
b7474ever said:
Wow..24 years old. That's young as hell if you are flying the 737. This motivates me to get my hours and apply there. Yo tambien no habla espanol. Ehh...un poquito
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Yes, for me the job fit my needs and I came in knowing how the living/commuting situation was. I've seen guys come here with a family and it doesn't work, or they come in uninformed and then are more mad at themselves than anything. If it fits your goals and career progression then go for it. It's not a small step to take but I felt it was better than going to the mideast or staying at my dying regional.

But buyer beware, you are a foreigner here. I have routinely had 7 hr flights over the amazon and the captain does not talk to me. Either because he is not comfortable with conversational English or he views me as some sort of threat. I have had some tell me that face to face. I have made great friends here but the bad attitude of those few does take its toll.

As well, some days in ground school were all in Spanish. Those are the days you sit there and wonder "What the hell am I doing here?" But it gets better for some and for others they go back home. For me, the journey has been worth it.
 
Thanks for all the info! Do you know of anyone who took their wive down with them and how did it go? (Permits, etc.)
 
Skåning said:
Thanks for all the info! Do you know of anyone who took their wive down with them and how did it go? (Permits, etc.)
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Copa will cover getting your spouse and children resident status. However work permits are covered by individual companies and I have not heard of anyone doing it on their own. I know we met with a team of lawyers when we arrived and they handled everything. Even then it was a wait and see and multiple trips to government offices that make the DMV look like an efficient operation.
 
Upgrade times "were" hard and fast at 4000 TT and 1000 with company BUT the rumor mill has been churning out that will change to 5000 TT. It doesnt make a difference if you speak Spanish or not. Does it help? Yes. But there are Captains that came from Brazil that spoke no Spanish and they made it. A lot of captains from the states did it without issue as well. Every once in a while I will get an old Panamanian capt who believes I speak wayyy more spanish than I do and so the flight is in spanish.

The most difficult part for me is not being PF over the jungle for 8 hrs and then shooting a CAT III into an airport in the middle of nowhere... No, its making sure I speak my spanish clear enough to the Flight Attendants to get my crew meal and coffee the way I want it. SIN NADA POR FAVOR
 
b7474ever said:
Sidious......maybe too early to ask but are you planning on staying with COPA for a while and upgrading with those hard TT?
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Yeah that's been the plan since I got here. I don't mind it down here at all and can suck it up until that day comes. A lot of guys go on to the mideast or China from here but that game isn't for me. But that being said, things can always change and Im not keeping any options off the table.
 
Sidious said:
Yeah that's been the plan since I got here. I don't mind it down here at all and can suck it up until that day comes. A lot of guys go on to the mideast or China from here but that game isn't for me. But that being said, things can always change and Im not keeping any options off the table.
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How are things going? I really appreciate all the info you've posted on here so far. It helps to get a perspective that cuts through the BS and hear how things are - the good and the bad of it. This thread prompted me to apply and I got offered a few interview dates at the end of the month, thinking it would be a good experience and see what happens!
 
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