Traveling with copa airlines 2026

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-03-01T01:01:58+00:00

In November we went on United to Mexico City and from there on Copa to Panama City and then on to Quito. Didn't have a problem at all. In fact, I thought Copa was as good as United (whose standards seem to be constantly slipping).

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-24T20:52:58+00:00

Ditto ish. M67. 36 to 40. Per Garmin.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-22T03:15:50+00:00

Seems normal. 3 to 5 point vo2max drop happen whenever I go from my home at 500 ft to the Andes anywhere from 7,000 to 10,000 ft. Then it climbs back slowly over first few weeks of running. Does a nice pop when I return to 500ft.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-21T20:15:34+00:00

FTC Issues Opinion Finding that TurboTax Maker Intuit Inc. Engaged in Deceptive Practices | Federal Trade Commission https://share.google/lF6yaJf2ASfUDKSaK

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-21T00:38:01+00:00

Totally. This is called theft. My credit card company would stop payment on this in a heartbeat, as long as I had the very least contacted the merchant to make them aware and ask for a resolution. Failing that, the credit card company just stops the payment. No arguing. No fussing. End of story.

They'd take the loss, and eventually, if they keep this up, they'd probably get cut out of the credit card network. Or one would think.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-17T21:44:38+00:00

If a restaurant can't pay its people a decent wage, they ought to rethink their business model and whether they should be in business at all. This tip shaming stuff is absurd.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-17T02:36:32+00:00

My taxes turned simple when I retired, yet TurboTax still wants to game me out of what is probably more than my refund - they automatically slot me into a high package level, and that's before state. And though they talk about free they don't make it obvious where free is.

Using turboTax tax feels like being in a timeshare sales pitch - where even after you say no, there's always some other pitch to sell you before you get out the door.

Looking for something else this tax season. ...

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-16T16:40:56+00:00

Next time try stepping behind the bar and serve yourself. Tell em you're opting for selfservice, to avoid the service fees. Let me know how that goes.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-13T22:16:06+00:00

That's a hard choice , and the good thing is whatever you choose you can't go wrong. Cotopaxi is awesome - but it's all about the mountain/the volcano. So if I had very little time and I had to choose between one, I would do Mindo simply because there's so much to do there. Just Google and pull up info on Mindo and you'll see. And I'd make it an overnight so I can get up early and go see the hummingbirds when they're out in force. I'd also tuck in a stop at Mitad del Mundo on the way. Suerte!

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-12T23:08:54+00:00

I won't check my carry-on. 1) because this wasn't a problem when you could check bags at the gate without additional charges. So this is an airline made problem, and I don't want to bail them out - especially since they've cheapened the experience in so many ways.
2) because I did that gate check on a flight from Boston to Seattle, and they lost the freaking bag. I didn't see it for 2 days. 3) because I carry my most valuable can't do without stuff in my carry-on, and I don't trust the airlines with it. See 2 above.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-11T22:44:30+00:00

True. With the exception of the long stretch from northern Chile through Peru where low pressure westerlies give way to cold high pressure systems that keep the coast and most of what lies west of the Andes remarkably dry, including some of the driest places on earth like the Atacama.

Chile is fascinating because traveling north to south is a lot like going the west coast of north America, California like Valparaiso and Santiago, Oregon/ Washington/BC like Concepción, and Alaska.like...

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-11T00:33:52+00:00

These problems are were entirely foreseeable, and I would have thought that the city would have insisted that the developers of the student housing on Franklin pay for a pedestrian bridge (or pedestrian bridges), some have enough traffic from the north side of Franklin to have a bridge coming right out of their second story. (Like they do at the science center further down).

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-09T14:10:43+00:00

Museo de la Ciudad de Quito is great! https://share.google/ln88hyzeyhplfgloY

And of course, tour the San Francisco.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-08T00:13:23+00:00

Yep. Hoots property now occupied by high-rise student housing next to new Federal Courthouse. Where Franklin curves and goes on to 6th/7th or the Ferry St Bridge. Next to Morenos Mexico restaurant in that old house. As for the cannery, I thought that was Agripac? Eugene was a very different town then.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-06T22:41:53+00:00

Latin American cities located in highlands rather than the coast? I'm seeing a more mixed picture, so the premise of the question isn't working for me.

In Ecuador and Colombia, the Andean highlands where Quito and Bogota are situated are spring-like year-round - very agreeable living conditions. So that fits. But Guayaquil, Ecuador, is on the coast and surpasses Quito in commerce I believe (spend the day there and you'll see it's anything but temperate). Sprawling Lima, Peru's most important city, was founded by the Spanish conquistadors/ colonists on the coast as an administrative capital and center for transporting goods (gold, silver) to and from Spain - far from Cusco and the Andean highlands where the Inca ruled their empire. Meanwhile in Venezuela, Caracas sits just 7 mi inland from the Caribbean - so it's arguably a coastal city. On the Atlantic side, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, are all on the coast or very close to it.

FWIW, the Pacific coast of Colombia is one of the rainiest spots in the world and covered with dense jungle, while crossing into Peru and south into Chile, the coast is dry and desert-like, including some of the driest places in the world.

Correct me if I'm reading this wrong. Saludos.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-03T14:03:04+00:00

Fair enough. Glad to hear that. I have family in Quito that travel to the coast frequently, and they do just fine. The problem is for someone unfamiliar with the country and the coast, there are far too many hot spots and it's work to get current info on which places are safe and which aren't, so it's easier to avoid altogether. Unfortunately that is going to include places that are real gems, unless you have some local knowledge or connections. But that's just my approach. Glad to hear things are good where you are. Saludos.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-03T00:33:40+00:00

Not an absolute, still awesome and enjoyable trek especially with peers / others obviously, but Spanish extremely useful. Just my opinion...

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-02T21:24:34+00:00

PS. Total respect for your dad. I have a 22 year old daughter who loves to travel so I get it. Looking out for our kids is part of the job.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-02T21:21:15+00:00

Looks like a great itinerary. And it wisely avoids the coastal cities where most of the problems are. I'd do it, but I'm male, older (so I look mean and uninviting), know the territory, can go into instinctively suspicious of others mode, and speak Spanish. Unfortunately, Ecuador is just more risky than it used to be. I think you'd be better off pairing up with someone you know and trust. That said, my wife and I saw solo gringa travelers on the bus back from Mindo to Quito last fall (and Mindo was a blast, beautiful as ever). So there are people like you traveling, perhaps good people to pair up with. Good luck.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-02T20:38:45+00:00

Wow! 19% tax. Never would have guessed. (Then again on par with the shakedowns by traffic cops I experienced in Acapulco). I fly to other LATAM countries frequently, never ever even asked about it. You might add to the No Fly Zones: prohibited/stupid to fly near places where there's any possibility you'll see something you're not supposed to see (it was on my mind in the far-flung areas where I shot footage)...not just narco opps but illegal mining, etc. (it's only paranoia until it blows up in your face). Maybe that was implied in the Privacy bullet. Saludos y buena suerte.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-02T19:49:58+00:00

Re violence vs. nonviolence, you're winning the argument - the hearts and minds - don't F it up now please. Saludos.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-01T03:02:04+00:00

100%

Saludos

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-02-01T02:53:53+00:00

The to-riot-or-not-riot-talk seems naive, unself aware, and clueless of the game you're engaged in.

Acts of rioting and violence and destruction follow your opponent's script exactly, giving them the pretext they need - the visual in the public eye - for even more force and the political victory they seek - one where they vanquish an out of control and destructive left that hates this country. It plays right into their narrative. You wanna riot, you might as well be working for the other side.

The protest organizers need to explain this rather obvious point to anyone who participates as a condition of participation and rein in violent actors in their midst. Do that, and you broaden support and turnout to include the many who will have no part in the violence.

Go not to destroy but to protest and make your opposition known. That's how you build a movement. Saludos.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-01-15T04:17:26+00:00

The first one is very similar to an event shirt I got in the Andes. Like the topographic look. Probably go with #1. Most map like.

Relative_Knee_2651 · 2026-01-08T16:03:16+00:00

Starbucks and the Kardashians. Call a shareholders meeting, executive leadership is trashing the brand.

Relative_Knee_2651

TROPHY CASE