U.S. Customs and Border Protection (AIA/AEO)

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by Heath

The checkairman will tell you speeds, tune radios on command, basically do anything you ask him to on command. They know you're not familiar with the plane and are just looking for basic instrument skills and airmanship.

Personally, I'd save my money. I don't have an ATP and got the offer. For inst review, if you can get a little time in a 210, that could only help. Otherwise, do what I did to refresh on the 6-pack scan (currently fly an all-glass ERJ), fly approaches on the mooney on flight simulator. The cockpit's setup the same, and the approach speeds are the same. I wouldn't get too bent out of shape, though. As long as your instrument skills are up to par, you'll have no trouble.

Your call Les. ATP not required, but if it's something you want to do, it's up to you. I agree with Heath, save the $$$, you can get it later.

Heath, you're one of those all-glass RJ guys? (for some reason, I thought you flew freight) You're going to LOVE the archaic fixed-wing Citations we have!! It's not even back to the future.....it's back to the past!

[Heath]

Originally Posted by MikeD

Heath, you're one of those all-glass RJ guys? (for some reason, I thought you flew freight) You're going to LOVE the archaic fixed-wing Citations we have!! It's not even back to the future.....it's back to the past!

Yep, I'm spoiled in the shiny jet with all glass! But, I'm actually looking forward to flying a 6-pack again. I liked it. Just scored a Garmin 695, maybe I'll have to bring that along to get my moving-map fix in now and again!

[les]

Once again y'all (Heath and MikeD) are lots of help and in agreement - must mean something good! Okay then, it's MS Flight Simulator time and try to find a C210. Talk to ya soon.

Les

[Heath]

Well, the latest intel I'm getting is that due to budget cuts, all FLETC classes after July have been cancelled! :grrr: If I've gone through all this just to have Obama and his porkulus package cost me the job, I'm gonna be REALLY sore!

[if4not]

Would it be logical to assume that everyone that would be in a July class would have already been given a call?

Has anyone heard anything post-NOR from the opennings that just closed?

[Heath]

Everyone in the July class has already been called, interviewed, received a COE, waited six months for their background investigation to clear, and then been called with their assigned location and start date!

I have no idea how this will affect the calls for that posting. They could still call people, knowing that they will eventually still have classes, or they may not call anyone and just create a new posting later. I have no clue.

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by Heath

Everyone in the July class has already been called, interviewed, received a COE, waited six months for their background investigation to clear, and then been called with their assigned location and start date!

I have no idea how this will affect the calls for that posting. They could still call people, knowing that they will eventually still have classes, or they may not call anyone and just create a new posting later. I have no clue.

Am going to check with some of the local HR folks at my Branch to see if they know anything or can provide more details. Have been TDY, so haven't had contact with them. Let you know what I find out, partner.

[Heath]

Cool, thanks.

[if4not]

Originally Posted by Heath

Everyone in the July class has already been called, interviewed, received a COE, waited six months for their background investigation to clear, and then been called with their assigned location and start date!

I saw a post saying that military background Investigations didn't transfer to civil service jobs. I had to do a fresh one for my current position even though my mil periodic reinvestigation had just closed. Does anyone know if a DOD civilian clearance transfer to another agency or will it require yet another investigation?

[Heath]

Another BI. BUT, the same agency does them all. So all they have to do if you've already had one is update from the close of the last one to present. Can speed it up a little, or not at all, depending on the investigator.

[hotice]

Originally Posted by Heath

Everyone in the July class has already been called, interviewed, received a COE, waited six months for their background investigation to clear, and then been called with their assigned location and start date!

I have no idea how this will affect the calls for that posting. They could still call people, knowing that they will eventually still have classes, or they may not call anyone and just create a new posting later. I have no clue.

A friend of mine has an interview this coming Monday. I don't know if that helps.

[Heath]

RW, FW, or dual rated? When did he get the call?

[MikeD]

It appears CBP may have hired more than they needed. From the info I got, those with EOD dates are good to go, those without are on hold.

[Heath]

Any idea if we'll still be hired, or will my COE expire and I'll have to start over?

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by Heath

Any idea if we'll still be hired, or will my COE expire and I'll have to start over?

Unknown as of yet. Current thought is nothing resuming until next fiscal year, but that's not official yet. That's from our local HR people. There's one guy at my branch right now that heads to FLETC next week. Two other guys behind him in the hiring process are SOL.

[if4not]

Originally Posted by Heath

Any idea if we'll still be hired, or will my COE expire and I'll have to start over?

What's a COE?

[Heath]

Conditional Offer of Employment.

One of the other guys in my hire group called MN Hiring Center today and was told they canceled FLETC classes because they don't have enough guys through BI to fill them, but that if you have an offer you're still in and will finish BI and then get a class date. But, no new postings till next fiscal year.

She also said they were still going to make calls, interview and hire from the posting that closed 5/15.

We'll see...

[SpiraMirabilis]

BI process can take 6-8 months. Federal government sucks. I expect everyone will have to wait until next fiscal year.

Edit: Oh, MikeD just said that

[BillErvin]

Originally Posted by SpiraMirabilis

BI process can take 6-8 months. Federal government sucks. I expect everyone will have to wait until next fiscal year.

Edit: Oh, MikeD just said that

BI's take a long time because the government in its wisdom decided that it could be contracted out cheaper. It was slow prior to that and got worse. (I worked on a conditional for almost two years when I joined the Air Marshal program)

That said I have a few friends that have retired and went to work for some of the contractors. They stay very busy, they have a large case load and are paid bonuses when they close cases, they're thorough but don't spend a lot of unnecessary time with them.

More often than not, the hold up is at the agency level, the security people see something they don't like so rather than make a phone call to clear it up, (Not my job syndrome) they send it back for reinvestigation which of course puts it on the bottom of the stack

[if4not]

So what you're saying is that I need to open a contracting buisness doing Background Investigations for the FedGov.

[BillErvin]

Originally Posted by if4not

So what you're saying is that I need to open a contracting buisness doing Background Investigations for the FedGov.

Yep, thats about it

[C150J]

Hang in there Heath, I'm right there with you! I just hope they don't rescind the COE - happened to me for another Fed job once and it stunk.

[Heath]

Well, here's the latest word from MN hiring team. We're still hired. They're just through filling slots until next fiscal year, which starts in Oct. She said our BI's will still be done and will last for a year. She's putting us on a list in the order our BI's clear, and will assign us bases as openings come after Oct.

So, sounds like we're ok, just might be early next year before we get base assignments and EOD.

[Heavy Duty]

Best of luck Heath. We all still know you can fly a 172 if it comes to that.

[if4not]

Originally Posted by Heath

Well, here's the latest word from MN hiring team. We're still hired. They're just through filling slots until next fiscal year, which starts in Oct. She said our BI's will still be done and will last for a year. She's putting us on a list in the order our BI's clear, and will assign us bases as openings come after Oct.

I've forgotten how the process works. You get your NOR, then do you get a phone call for the interview, and then the COE? When do they start the BI process and can I go ahead and start tracking all that info down now?