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

[aloft]

Originally Posted by MikeD

There was both for mine.

I bet that was a fun interview!

"Tell us about the ____ system on your last aircraft."

"I'm sorry, that's classified."

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by aloft

I bet that was a fun interview!

"Tell us about the ____ system on your last aircraft."

"I'm sorry, that's classified."

Oh, I told them. I just had to kill the members of that interview team immediately after the interview ended.....and destroy the tapes.

[pilotgray16]

Sorry to kinda change the subject although i am really liking what i'm hearing about the AIA. I was just wondering if anyone had any info on flying for the DEA?

[BillErvin]

Originally Posted by pilotgray16

Sorry to kinda change the subject although i am really liking what i'm hearing about the AIA. I was just wondering if anyone had any info on flying for the DEA?

All of the guys I knew that flew for the DEA were field agents before they started flying for the agency. That doesn't mean you can't do it without being a agent first but I've never seen it. The best way to find out is to call a DEA Recruiter at your local office and ask.

[dcramer16]

Originally Posted by pilotgray16

Sorry to kinda change the subject although i am really liking what i'm hearing about the AIA. I was just wondering if anyone had any info on flying for the DEA?

When I was flying pipeline down in Texas we had a retired DEA pilot come apply. The boss pulled me aside and told me he wanted me to fly with him. He said, the guy has done nothing but brag about himself all morning, and talk about how he would run our opporation. So the boss told me to give him a "good" ride. Well, boss was right, he was a big shot loud mouth that did nothing but brag all day about "landing in the middle of the rainforest on a dirt track that was only 10ft long and 1ft wide, while busting out the front window, diving out and having a shootout with the columbian drug cartell." I'm exhagerating a bit, but the guy bragged about himself the whole day. Then proceded to tell me how I should do my job. I called up the boss when we stopped for lunch, and said "I have the same feeling about this guy. I have a feeling that he's the type of guy that will start telling you how to do your job boss."

Pipeline patrol isn't for everyone, and the first time you have to lead a pumper to a leak, no matter how good your stomach is, it will probably make you sick. To lead a pumper to a leak, you would find a pumper (they drove the white trucks and had the white hard hats), you would fly low (50-100ft) over the pumper while rocking your wings to get their attention. Then you fly over to the leak. Climb like crazy while over the leak, then dive towards the leak, pulling up at the last possible moment, then do it all over again until the pumper drives over and finds the leak.

That afternoon we found 2 leaks that we had to lead the pumpers too. Needless to say, by the end of the day, big bad ass DEA pilot decided that pipeline patrol wasn't for him.

During the course of the day though, I asked him how one would even get on as a pilot with the DEA. He said the ONLY way to do it was become a field agent for at least 2 years, then when there was an opening, transfer over.

[jbail3p]

MikeD have you ever heard of anyone with no hours getting a flying gig? I am not rich so i am paying as i go. would it be better to get in now and then get my ticekts or finish my tickets and then try for a job? Are there non flying gigs with the AIA? ie RADAR?

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by jbail3p

MikeD have you ever heard of anyone with no hours getting a flying gig? I am not rich so i am paying as i go. would it be better to get in now and then get my ticekts or finish my tickets and then try for a job? Are there non flying gigs with the AIA? ie RADAR?

Two ways to go on that:

As mentioned before, the current CBP Air & Marine combines the former US Customs air and US Border Patrol air. Customs hires all of it's pilots with 1500TT min and a host of other requirements. However, a program USBP used to use exclusively is still in use, that of Pilot Trainee. That's where they take BP ground agents who apply and have (I believe) 3 years as a ground agent, and they can earn their ratings to become pilots with BP. The specifics of which I'm not extremely sure on, but that is an opportunity available to take advantage of. Member BillErvin here would know more of the specifics on that since he has background from the green side of the house.

There are what are called AEAs, or Aerial Enforcement Agents. Essentially crewmembers who are also law enforcement. They serve as tactical team leaders on the Blackhawk, as well as radar operators on the Citations. However, many of these guys are hired from prior BP agents.

[jbail3p]

MikeD thank you sir. I just got a feeling of hope with this post. Hope that i will be able make a career out of Flying. Fly Safe!

jbail

[pilotgray16]

Thanks for the DEA info! I am going to give it a try. Law Enforcement and Aviation together, sounds pretty sweet! Keep the info coming!

[flydog1]

Just wondering how long it took for some guys to get called for an interview for these jobs. The window is still open till may. I applied in Dec with an 86 score. I'm hoping its enough. Anyone know if it would help to make a call to HR or anyone. Thanks for the help....

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by flydog1

Just wondering how long it took for some guys to get called for an interview for these jobs. The window is still open till may. I applied in Dec with an 86 score. I'm hoping its enough. Anyone know if it would help to make a call to HR or anyone. Thanks for the help....

It depends. The HR process is kind of slow, so 6-8 months was average it seemed, some sooner, some later. After that time, I'd call. You got your score, so you know you're in the system.

[flydog1]

Thanks for the info....

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by flydog1

Thanks for the info....

No prob...I see you saw the merged thread here. Good info for you if you need it.

[lisboa]

Thanks Mike D for all the info! I applied in late December for both the AIA and the Predator positions. I scored an 87 and I'm still waiting for the call. I would love to be based in Puerto Rico. I'm wondering if you have any idea what my chances are or how many people they're hiring at that location?

[C150J]

Hey Mike!

How much time passed between the interview and your conditional offer? Do you know if people hear either way (selected/not selected)? Thanks!

J.

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by C150J

Hey Mike!

How much time passed between the interview and your conditional offer? Do you know if people hear either way (selected/not selected)? Thanks!

J.

On average about 4-6 months or so, sometimes a little more, rarely less....but happens. I know guys who did get the non-select notice, vice the select call.

[C150J]

Originally Posted by MikeD

On average about 4-6 months or so, sometimes a little more, rarely less....but happens. I know guys who did get the non-select notice, vice the select call.

Thanks Mike! They called my references immediately afterwards, but I imagine they do that with everyone. I'll just cross my fingers!

[Heath]

Originally Posted by C150J

Thanks Mike! They called my references immediately afterwards, but I imagine they do that with everyone. I'll just cross my fingers!

From what I've read, if they called your refs, expect an offer.

Congrats!

[blee256]

MikeD and Bill Ervin,

Thanks for all the great responses. I applied for the job back in Sept. or so of last year. Got an initial email that my application was recieved, but havent heard anything since. It was part of the last vacancy that closed in November I believe it was. I noticed it was re-opened until May 15th. So I plan on re-applying. However, I am currently in the sandbox with the national guard. My orders are until mid june. With this deployment I will get my Veterans points. So when I reappply in May, would it be legit to say that I have my 5 points even tho I have yet to return?

Also, Bill, what do you know about the southern California bases?

Thanks and look forward to your answers.

-Brian

GOOD LUCK to Heath and C150J!

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by blee256

MikeD and Bill Ervin,

Thanks for all the great responses. I applied for the job back in Sept. or so of last year. Got an initial email that my application was recieved, but havent heard anything since. It was part of the last vacancy that closed in November I believe it was. I noticed it was re-opened until May 15th. So I plan on re-applying. However, I am currently in the sandbox with the national guard. My orders are until mid june. With this deployment I will get my Veterans points. So when I reappply in May, would it be legit to say that I have my 5 points even tho I have yet to return?

Also, Bill, what do you know about the southern California bases?

Thanks and look forward to your answers.

-Brian

GOOD LUCK to Heath and C150J!

I believe you should have your 5 points qualifying as a Vet. it's a good help....certainly doesn't hurt and is well deserved. The 10 points helped too.

[BillErvin]

Mike might be able to answer that better than I, last I heard the only SoCal bases were the Customs guys flying out of NAS North Island and Border Patrol flying out of Browns Field just north of Otay Mesa border checkpoint (San Diego Co.) and Calexico. Since the merger I'm not sure.

I think there is also a CBP Air branch out of the AFB near Riverside??? I wouldn't wish South San Diego County on anybody

Mike help me out here??

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by BillErvin

Mike might be able to answer that better than I, last I heard the only SoCal bases were the Customs guys flying out of NAS North Island and Border Patrol flying out of Browns Field just north of Otay Mesa border checkpoint (San Diego Co.) and Calexico. Since the merger I'm not sure.

I think there is also a CBP Air branch out of the AFB near Riverside??? I wouldn't wish South San Diego County on anybody

Mike help me out here??

Hey Bill!

Yeah partner, San Diego is still out of NAS NI, as well as the BP air branch you mention out of Brown; each still doing their thing as legacy bases, kind of like Tucson Intl and Davis-Monthan. The Riverside location is at March AFB just like you note, as well as the AMOC, or Air & Marine Operations Center being located there.....I believe they took over the facilities of the old Southwest Air Defense Sector that used to be located at March, as they have a similar function to them.

LOL on South San Diego county.....I wouldn't want to work there any more than I'd want to work the San Ysidro POE if I were a CBP Officer in field Ops!

[blee256]

Thanks for the info. The options they list for So Cal is El Centro, San Diego, and Riverside. I live in the greater Los Angeles area, so I would love to stay here. Whats wrong with San Diego is a very nice! Why wouldnt you want to live there?

Originally Posted by MikeD

I believe you should have your 5 points qualifying as a Vet. it's a good help....certainly doesn't hurt and is well deserved. The 10 points helped too.

So it shouldnt be a problem for me to list that I do have 5 veterans points, even though my deployment is up? I probably wont have a DD 214 until well after i get back. The 10 points is very nice, but I dont plan on getting disabled while I am here. How else can one get lmore than 5 points?

[BillErvin]

Originally Posted by blee256

Thanks for the info. The options they list for So Cal is El Centro, San Diego, and Riverside. I live in the greater Los Angeles area, so I would love to stay here. Whats wrong with San Diego is a very nice! Why wouldnt you want to live there?

I have lived there, but in north county (Poway) and I've worked the levies, Canals, and canyons around the border as an agent.

Chula Vista, National City, Otay Mesa, have nice areas, but as a GS-11 step 1 you can't afford them. The rest of the area is more of an extension of Tijuana than San Diego. North Island is a resort area and a Naval Base (several actually) There were some reasonable apartments in the area around the NAS but other than that no. La mesa is an option as well, a lot of BPA's live there

I would suggest you take a drive down to National City or Chula and check it out, it ain't all beaches and bikinis. You may like it, but it wasn't my cup of tea, Maybe because I'm a country boy at heart.

[blee256]

Originally Posted by BillErvin

I have lived there, but in north county (Poway) and I've worked the levies, Canals, and canyons around the border as an agent.

Chula Vista, National City, Otay Mesa, have nice areas, but as a GS-11 step 1 you can't afford them. The rest of the area is more of an extension of Tijuana than San Diego. North Island is a resort area and a Naval Base (several actually) There were some reasonable apartments in the area around the NAS but other than that no. La mesa is an option as well, a lot of BPA's live there

I would suggest you take a drive down to National City or Chula and check it out, it ain't all beaches and bikinis. You may like it, but it wasn't my cup of tea, Maybe because I'm a country boy at heart.

Yeah I heard about nasty city. But i thought chula vista wasnt too bad. If i had my choice, I would definitely like Riverside. I'll apply in a couple months and see what happens. Wish me luck!