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

[troopernflight]

A friend of mine that fly's for Airtran just got hired last week, going to be based in New Orleans. He had about 5,000 hours, no prior military or LE.

[C150J]

I got a low score of 89 and was shocked when I got the call. I do have prior LE experience, but very little. I have no idea how I got so lucky, but will try my hardest to leave a strong impression at the interview. From what I've heard, they could just be interviewing into a "pool" should they need pilots. I'd be interested to know how many pilot positions were appropriated in the FY2009 budget.

[Heath]

Apparently, they have quite a budget for expansion. The Miami (Homestead) branch is forecasting to grow from 43 to 100 AIA's!

I, too, was a little shocked to get a call. I got a rating of 84. No prior military and no rotor-wing experience. FFDO is the only LE experience I have. I'm thrilled to get the opportunity to interview.

[firepilot68]

How long did it take to get your score? I applied in early Jan. and haven't heard anything back yet.

[aviatortolle]

I applied on Nov 23 and it took a little over a month to get my score (90) and then about another month and a half to get the call for an interview (March 11th).

I would love to know if anyone has gone through the interview already what the experience was like and what kinds of questions were asked etc etc.

[brentg350]

Originally Posted by aviatortolle

I applied on Nov 23 and it took a little over a month to get my score (90) and then about another month and a half to get the call for an interview (March 11th).

I would love to know if anyone has gone through the interview already what the experience was like and what kinds of questions were asked etc etc.

There is a site called army pilots to airline pilots APTAP.com that has an entire thread dedicated to AIA tons of information and guys sharing interview and selection experiences alot of helpful people. You should check it out, it will probably answer alot of your questions.

[aviatortolle]

Originally Posted by brentg350

There is a site called army pilots to airline pilots APTAP.com that has an entire thread dedicated to AIA tons of information and guys sharing interview and selection experiences alot of helpful people. You should check it out, it will probably answer alot of your questions.

Thanks I appreciate that.

[Air Pirate]

Got my score a few days ago. 91. ...And also happened to meet one of the guys on the interview board when he came into our flight school looking for a CFI job (sounds like he's getting ready to retire).

Like I always tell my students: Remember- You NEVER know who you'll meet or end up talking to at the airport.

"Sir, General George S. Patton's quote is as follows: 'You are always on parade.'"

Haha. Fingers crossed. Good luck to you other guys!

[MikeD]

If anyone would like any info let me know, this is currently what I do.

[Blip16]

Originally Posted by MikeD

If anyone would like any info let me know, this is currently what I do.

yes

I am still on the fence as to whether or not i want to apply for this or stick it out for another few hundred and try to get on with a 135 cargo company i would like to work for (2000TT mins)

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by BuickCFI

yes

I am still on the fence as to whether or not i want to apply for this or stick it out for another few hundred and try to get on with a 135 cargo company i would like to work for (2000TT mins)

Depends what your goals are. Do you want to work towards the airlines, or are you interested in law enforcement? Much like the military, the job is law enforcement with flying on the side....meaning there's 3 months at the academy in Georgia before you even get to the cockpit.

[Blip16]

not airlines. i am a 135 type of guy and i like guns
do you spend most of your time on the ground?

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by BuickCFI

not airlines. i am a 135 type of guy and i like guns
do you spend most of your time on the ground?

No, you actually get a fair amount of flying. How much and in what type kind of depends where you're based.

[Blip16]

Originally Posted by MikeD

No, you actually get a fair amount of flying. How much and in what type kind of depends where you're based.

I am primarily looking at northern bases. I think i am mostly on the fence because this would be a lifetime place and I am not sure i want to do that yet, there are so many other things i would like to try first.

on the ground is it pretty much paper work, or do you go on patrols?

[Heath]

Originally Posted by MikeD

If anyone would like any info let me know, this is currently what I do.

Sweet! Where are you based? What airframes do you fly? Can you give us a typical "day in the life" of MikeD? I know its different at each base, but give us a feel for a typical work week at your base.

Any good gouge for the interview process?

Greatly appreciate any info you have to offer!

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by BuickCFI

I am primarily looking at northern bases. I think i am mostly on the fence because this would be a lifetime place and I am not sure i want to do that yet, there are so many other things i would like to try first.

on the ground is it pretty much paper work, or do you go on patrols?

Your job is to fly, so when you're not doing that at the controls, you go out as a tactical team member in the heloc (if so trained). Certain bases fly more rotary than fixed, or vice versa, so that depends on where you are.

My base, for example, is primarily rotary-wing....a little fixed wing, but not a ton for them to do. Go to other bases in places like the south and southeast, and fixed-wing does alot more.

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by Heath

Sweet! Where are you based? What airframes do you fly? Can you give us a typical "day in the life" of MikeD? I know its different at each base, but give us a feel for a typical work week at your base.

Any good gouge for the interview process?

Greatly appreciate any info you have to offer!

Based in Tucson. Flying nothing right now since I'm an activated Reservist right now for the next 6 or so months. Coming back from that, I'll be in the Blackhawk.

A day in the life is showing up for your 8 hour shift. You do shift brief and prep for your local patrol flights, about 2 a day; or if you're not flying as pilot, you might be doing other duties. For example, the Citation guys will fly as co-pilot, AC if you're qualified, and/or radar operator in the back...again, if so qualified and depending on the day. Other guys who are CFIs (and this is at my base) and designated as instructors may go out in the C-210 and instruct the BP trainee pilots, who are building hours. Other guys will go out on sorties in the Citation for training or patrol flights. So depending on qualification, there are any number of things you can do.

The interview is at OK City at the training facility there. It consists of an oral board with about 4 IPs and an HR guy...a personal interview. The next board is one-on-one with one of the IPs and goes over aviation stuff...FARs, etc. Passing those, you go on to the flightline at Wiley Post airport for your flightcheck in either a C-210 or an A-star helo, depending on your quals. They're only looking for basic airmanship here, not how proficient you are in the particular airframe; primarily proficiency in contact and instruments; meaning for the 210, you'll take off, go to the practice area, perform a few contact maneuvers, then return to OKC for a couple of instrument approaches, and that's about it. Again, are you proficient at the flying, not necessarily at the particular airplane. Big thing to make sure you have is the 100 hrs in the past 12 months, which I don't think is a problem for most here.

UAV stuff....well, they're hiring for that too.

[Heath]

Good stuff, thanks.

Any idea on the percentages of interviews to job offers? I've heard that if you score the interview the job is kind of yours to lose, so long as you do well in the interview you've got a job. Was that your impression when you interviewed?

How long have you been doing it? You're an A10 guy in the mil, right? Did they train you in the RW or did you have helo experience before?

I'm FW only now, but am dying to get RW time. I would love to get on and get a dual rating added on.

[Heath]

How tough should I expect the technical part to be? Are they going to get into systems questions for my current airframe, or just basic FAR knowledge?

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by Heath

Good stuff, thanks.

Any idea on the percentages of interviews to job offers? I've heard that if you score the interview the job is kind of yours to lose, so long as you do well in the interview you've got a job. Was that your impression when you interviewed?

How long have you been doing it? You're an A10 guy in the mil, right? Did they train you in the RW or did you have helo experience before?

I'm FW only now, but am dying to get RW time. I would love to get on and get a dual rating added on.

Don't know on the percentage part. There were a couple guys that interviewed the saem day I did and didn't get selected, don't know why though.

I was FW in the AF, A-10 and 117. I'm coming back to RW since I'm headed to RW transition for the AF Reserve. Kind of one pays for the other. For guys not already RW qualed, there is the chance to get a RWQC, or Rotor Wing Qual Course, but that's something you'll have to wait in line for. Guys at my branch being sent to that have been 5 or so years in the waiting. And even that may or may not depend where you're based.

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by Heath

How tough should I expect the technical part to be? Are they going to get into systems questions for my current airframe, or just basic FAR knowledge?

There was both for mine.

[Heath]

Cool. Thanks a ton for the info. Its good to hear from someone in the know.

[Air Pirate]

MikeD,

Thanks for all the info. Whats the Academy like? How about in comparison to AF basic?

Thanks again.

Tom

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by Air Pirate

MikeD,

Thanks for all the info. Whats the Academy like? How about in comparison to AF basic?

Thanks again.

Tom

About the same. Pretty gentlemanly.....esp since the average of the A&M classes is far above the CBPOs going through training there. It's all LE training with some good instructors from varying backgrounds. You stay off-installation since all the on-post dorms are again, occupied by the other agencies going through training.

[flydog1]

Originally Posted by C150J

I got a low score of 89 and was shocked when I got the call. I do have prior LE experience, but very little. I have no idea how I got so lucky, but will try my hardest to leave a strong impression at the interview. From what I've heard, they could just be interviewing into a "pool" should they need pilots. I'd be interested to know how many pilot positions were appropriated in the FY2009 budget.

How long has it been taken to get a call for an interview? I also scored an 89 I believe and have no LE background or military. I think out of all the flying jobs this would be have the most job security. Crossing my fingers...thanks for all the info.