Hi ... I am new to this forum.

I have been given a ticket for an upcoming business trip to Columbia. For the return, I am flying out of Cali, Columbia to Panama City on COPA air and then connect from there on Continental to Houston. There is one hour between the estimated time of arrival by COPA and the scheduled departure of the CO flight.

I initially thought COPA was a CO affiliate or subsidiary because of the similar-looking logo. So I thought I could simply check in my bag at Cali (Columbia) and pick it up at Houston. I probably will stay outside the immigration control area to wait for the connecting flight at Panama City airport. So I didn't think the one hour would present a problem. It was not until yesterday that I realized (thru some reading on the internet) that COPA and Continental are two separate companies (though they do have some sort of alliances).

So, my questions are (1) Do I need to claim and recheck my bags at Panama City or will COPA directly transfer the bags (checked in at Cali) at Panama City onto the CO flight? (2) If I have to deal with the bags at Panama City, will the one hour be enough?

It will be the first time for me to travel to that part of the world so any advice and suggestions are helpful. By the way I have already written to the external travel agent (who is contracted by the company to handle travel arrangements) but have not heard back from her yet.

Many thanks!