Voski

USAjobs has job postings once again for CBP Air Interdiction Agents (AIA) once again. I was targeting the airlines as my primary means of employment once getting off active duty (currently a Army rotary-wing pilot), but CBP has been in the back of my mind. Solid benefits, respectable retirement, stability, and home most nights -- even a better gig if one can land one of the more desirable bases.

That being said, is CBP Air & Marine going to be facing mass baby boomer retirements like the airlines? That, or does anyone in-the-know think they're going to face a mass exodus once airline hiring starts to pickup?

I think it'd be a solid job especially if one can get one of the more desirable bases.

AFSOCFlyr

I looked at that (like I looked at all avenues even though I know I want to go to the airlines) as a possibility especially if my military time + theoretical CBP Federal service time = federal retirement after 20yrs or something ~20. Unfortunately I can't remember what my research concluded on that.

However, I also reminded myself that the main reason I plan on getting out is that I no longer want Uncle Same telling me which hand to wipe with...so I crossed CBP off the list.

I don't have any particular insight, but I doubt that too many CBP agents will leave for the airlines unless they are young and happen to be at the end of their federal commitment. I know a lot of their hires are prior mil who clearly decided that CBP was the route they wanted to take.

I did follow their hiring windows for 2-3 years and in short, there weren't many of them. So unless you are willing to flight instruct or something while waiting for a hiring window to open..it'll take a fair bit of luck to get hired on right off of AD.

I know that was a lot of words that don't really answer your questions...just my .02 on CBP. It really is a decent option if you want the 'stability' of a federal job, though.

Let's be real, you just want the 'Federal Agent' badge for Friday nights at the bar...am I right??

Otterbox

Yes, their mandatory retirement age is younger, and you only have to do 5 years before you get some FERS pension bennies...

You can bank on guys stuck at ****ty duty stations with no PCS opportunity applying for the Airlines after their 5th year with CBP or the day they get sick of th BS associated with the job.

BDGERJMN

Yes you can buy your AD time back and count it toward Federal pension concurrent with building your military points towards retirement.

Nominally it works out to 2-3%(depending on when you did your AD time) of your base bay (only) for your AD time. That time is then added to your Federal Service for your Government Civilian FERS(or equiv retirement system). In my case I did 10 yrs 8 months AD, stroked a check to DFAS. I was then a GS13 step 5 with 10yrs 8 months walking in the door. That was 2008. Additionally,, I did just under a year in Afghanistan and bought that time back as well. I now have ~18 yrs of Federal service at the age of 41 and 2 yrs to go for reserve pension if I choose to leave at 20 or stay in should I select for O-6 to draw that retirement. Add that to my GS pension, Roth IRAs and TSP (maxed out every year as both AD and GS) it was money well spent. YMMV.

USMCFLYR

There is a long established thread here:

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/mi...ol-pilots.html

You'll find just about everything you want to know.

Not sure what AFSOCFlyr means by Uncle Sam telling you which hand to wipe with......I'm sure Daddy Delta has a full rules of their own.

Buying back your military time if you didn't retire is a good deal. If you did retire as a senior enlisted (think E-7/8 or above or an officer) - most will tell you that it isn't worth it financially.

Personally - it was the agency that I wanted to target after retirement due to the mission, but some medical issues would have left me unable to complete the FLETC course. I do have a few former military friends who are working for them and have conversed with active AIAs on this forum.

A lot of what you lay out Voski seems to be the case for reasons some went to CBP, but it seems that morale (expectations maybe?) within the agency have shifted over the last few years depending on internal and external leadership.

Like I tell people who are looking my organization; if you want to be an airline pilot - this is not the job for you. I can't imagine that CBP would be any different in that regard.

Good luck in your hunt.

AFSOCFlyr

I didnt mention Delta nor say that it was a land of swashbuckling air pirates where you never grow old.

How sweet would that be though?!?







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AFSOCFlyr

However now I'm reminded of Con-Air...

DustoffVT

A couple of notes -

1. We have a mass exodus already. Many in the 5-8 year range are leaving for the majors, but also to other jobs such as ISR. Several guys with more time in that have been deferring recall at a major are also going back.

2. You will not get one of the more desirable locations. PR, McAllen, Laredo, Alpine. Sorry.

AHDRVR

I left after four years and never looked back. Almost everyone that I know that had the qualifications jumped ship for the airlines. I had zero job satisfaction and the management was atrocious. I met a guy that lasted only six months at a New York branch. 6 months. Think about that. SIX MONTHS. Now that's a record. And, after talking to buddies that are still with the agency, nothing has changed for the better. Caveat emptor.

ugleeual

That's the problem with civil service jobs... Once a crappy leader gets in a job it takes forever for them to rotate out... Normally due to a promotion. At least in the airlines you have a contract to guide you and hopefully never have to talk to anyone in management... Just fly your schedule.