Talking of Airlines - Copa not much better!

happenstance says on Feb 25, 2005, 15:26:

copa sucks You're not alone.
I feel the same way about Copa.
What an uncomfortable way to travel too.
Very dissapointed.

Plus, I can't understand a word they say when they translate their english on the speaker. I was totally lost.

-ericha

When The Pawn Hits The Conflicts He Thinks Like A King What He Knows Throws The Blows When He Goes To The Fight And He’ll Win The Whole Thing ‘Fore He Enters The Ring There’s No Body To Batter When Your Mind Is Your Might So When You Go Solo, Yo

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KirkWest53 says on Feb 25, 2005, 15:29:

HAHAHA San Juan to BAQ I flew from San JUan PR to Barranquilla via Panama City. I had a few hour layover and that airport is really bad. But the most dreadful part was when I got off the plane, there was hydraulic fluid pouring out from underniath the plane. Not being an aircraft mechanic, I had no idea where it was comming from, but gave me the shivers. I don't fly Copa anymore.

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Bruce V. Shrader says on Feb 25, 2005, 18:37:

being late at the airport If I am not mistaken, You must check in at least 2 hours before
the flight for ALL international flights. The requirement is 1 hour for domestic flights (at least here in the states). Regardless of the airline. This is for security purposes. You should know this.

When we are in Cali, and comming back to the states, we try to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours early. I know it's inconvenient.

Welcome to the era of "Hurry Up and wait".

You are lucky that he didn't void your ticket and make you buy a new one. Some of the tickets I've purchased were good for that flight and that date only.

The first time I went back to Colombia in 2000, I had to purchase a new ticket when I decided to spend a few weeks longer in Colombia.
I still have the un-used (voided) ticket as a souvenier of stupidity.
The airline, BTW, was American Airlines.

I don't want to sound heartless, but thats the way it is nowdays,
thanks to 9-11.

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senrei76 says on Mar 14, 2005, 18:52:

Copa- Bad service Hi,
I flew LAX to PTY and I felt the same way as the others here. I can't understand their English translation either- what was that about anyway- woa? I do speak some Spanish, but I felt lost also. Their customer service/reservations line is TERRIBLE. Most of the representatives cannot communicate well in English, I had a hard time getting them to understand what I needed and even when they did understand they really weren't that helpful- some were outright rude. I don't like COPA and I won't be flying COPA again- NOT FOREIGN FRIENDLY... (and I am of Panamanian Descent- ok)

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juanalejo says on Mar 14, 2005, 20:34:

copa That does come as a surprise for me, I have never used them but did have some what of a good image about them. I fly Continental as it is my favourite airline, and they own a big chunk of Copa, so I assumed the know how had been transmitted. But there you go.

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Gomezman5 says on Mar 14, 2005, 21:41:

Juanalejo They don't own a big chunk. They are a part of the same parent corperation. The frequent flyer card for one is good for the other.

But the airline (Copa)does SUCK...to put it not so mildly. They have outdated computer systems in that what info you get by phone, is often not in your record when you get to the airport. Thing always seem to change at the airpor..or worse yet, sometimes they cannot even find your record.

I have flown them 6 or 7 times. 4 of those times I had problem. I will NEVER use them again

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Jack Smith says on Apr 16, 2005, 14:56:

Copa? Copa is considered to be a fairly good airline but you can have lousy experiences on any of them. I had a lousy experience on Avianca last year. I am an airline employee and usually fly with a Space Available discount but decided to buy REGULAR tickets from BOG to San Andres. Well, there was 3 of us and they screwed the res made on the phone so when we got to BOG it took almost 2 hours watching while a bunch of CS agents talk to each other on the phone. We missed the flight that day and 10 days later on the way back the res was still not fixed?

This is LATIN AMERICA....in the U.S any agent could have fixed the problem in 20 minutes but in LA nobody trusts each other with payments so they run you from one person to another.

I have flown Avianca, American, COPA, ACES, and LAN to Colombia and I cannot say any one is better that the other but I still prefer AVIANCA since it is Colombia's main carrier.

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Crazy4Cali says on Jun 14, 2005, 06:32:

hmmm.... So here I am planning my next visit to Cali and Copa has a flight from Seattle for $750 while Continental & American flights are going for $850-900 and I'm thinking "Is the $100-150 difference worth the potential for headache?"

Here, Copa seems to be universally panned. Even in the "Avianca" threads there were some reporting a good (or at least a 'not bad') experience.

So what's the net.wisdom on this...is it worth the $150 difference or is that just being penny-wise and pound-foolish?

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2retirensa says on Jun 14, 2005, 08:12:

I don't think one is any better/worse than the other Just depends on the day as far as I am concerned. I did not have a bad experience with Copa. Actually the time I flew, they were considerably nicer than my American leg. Another time, American (known to be rude) was actually decent to me. When I missed my flight home (MIA-STL)they put me on the next flight with no additional charge and really no hassle.
I would take the less expensive flight, and figure you just got paid $150 for the hassel that is going to come sooner or later if you travel much at all.
Maureen

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viewpoint says on Jun 14, 2005, 08:45:

We I depart on COPA for Panam Well I depart on COPA for Panama & Medeillin in four hours but I have to say that I have not had a bad experience on COPA for the past four years since Continental acquired an ownership position and they (COPA) begin upgrading their equipment. As to the comment about dated equipment I don't know where that comes from as COPA has new planes, new offices (being built in Costa del Este), great employees', facilities and the MOTTA family has more money than GOD. Eight new boarding gates have been built at their hub in Panama and the complete terminal is being expanded and upgraded to the tune of US$70,000,000 and that´s a lot of money in Panama (estimated completion 4-1-06).
.
What's not to like ?

I usually fly business class because the for the extra cost I can change my tickets at will allowing stops in Panama City and shortening or lengthening my trip all for no extra charge.

Further, if you fly enough miles on your ONE PASS card to at least obtain Silver Elite status you get automatic upgrades (space available) to business class. Earlier this year I bought a special E-Fare from San Juan, PR to Medellin roundtrip for $365 and flew Business Class (first class) every segment of the entire trip both ways. It's aircraft is all mostly new and it's service sure works for me. I have never heard a bad word about COPA from frequent travelers. While most other airlines are in financial problems and stuggling to stay alive COPA is expanding in Colombia and elsewhere in Latin America at a rapid pace.

COPA is my preferred carrier from the caribbean because it is the only carrier (that I know of) that you can connect to Colombia without flying 1200 miles back to Miami. jajaja got to run now got a flight to catch

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miamimike says on Jun 14, 2005, 20:19:

Have Flown Copa to Colombia without a problem but that was four years ago and the service was excellent. Avianca has to be one of the worst carriers ever in the existence of air travel. I would not FLY my DOG on this Airline. I used them 2 times-constantly depart late, arrive late, overbook their flights, rude ect. Colombian friends of mine have the same opinion of this company(avianca) and will not use this Airline period-small "a" for small service.

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Brian858 says on Jun 14, 2005, 22:11:

Flying Copa next week. LAX to Barranquilla for $676 round trip. Only have to wait 4 hours in Panama for the connecting flight :(

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Crazy4Cali says on Jun 14, 2005, 23:04:

When you connect in PTY do you need to clear customs on your connecting flight in Panama City?

The connection looks pretty tight and probably impossible if you have to clear customs.

Thanks!

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viewpoint says on Jun 15, 2005, 05:29:

Crazy4Cali No you don´t need to clear customs because you are not exiting the secured boarding area of the airport, just walk from your arriving gate to your departure gate and wait for the flight or go shopping in their many duty free shops in the Panama airport. It´s not more than a ten minute walk (or less) from one end of the airport to the other (chances are your gates are closer than that). Checked baggage could be another problem if the connection is less than thirty minutes. If you are flying all the way on COPA the connection shouldn´t be a problem as their flights are not that cloely connected.

I arrived at the Panama airport last night and it really looks good. It is a airline commuter friendly professional airport. Spend some time in Panama City if you can overnight or spend a few days there. A lot of things going on there in that city. It´s worth the look.

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2retirensa says on Jun 15, 2005, 06:08:

I really like the Panama Air Port. Hoping to stop a few days on next trip. LOTS to see and do in Panama. I think it will be a worthwile lay over.
Maureen

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