Policepilot

I can speak from experience on this thread. I became a full-time LEO after the economy tanked in '07, flying king-airs and got cut. In 2011 I decided to go into the airlines. I got furloughed from Eagle after 10 days in training and luckily got hired at Expressjet a month later. I spent a year there and enjoyed it but the pay was crap and I missed the brotherhood in law enforcement, so I returned. I have since promoted to Sergeant and have enjoyed my time back in law enforcement. Now I am going back into 121. I was hired last month and start training again next month. My decision to return had to do with long term money, my love for flying and what I hope is best for my family. My department is letting me keep my stripes and be the Sergeant over our reserve program. I will still be getting paid and will also remain an assistant team leader on my SWAT team. I am blessed to have both careers and thankful for my department for their understanding and support as I leave them for the second time. Fingers crossed that this time in the airlines is better then the last!

kevbo

Aviation to law enforcement seems to come naturally. Everyone in aviation, from bag smasher to CEO feels self important and in charge. Where else could any working class person experience that feeling outside of law enforcement.

maxjet

As one who came to flying...... if your story is true, your Dad is a jerk

Diverb

I'm on the other side of the coin. I started in LE mainly because it was something I was passionate about way back when, and my Dad flew 121 during the 80's & 90's and told me to stay away from flying for a living since I would most likely be furloughed for awhile.

I have 13yrs in with my current agency (federal LE) and am lucky to be assigned to the air unit on a 2year detail working the cameras, but after 2yrs I will have to return to the "road". If I stay and work my remaining 7 years I can get my pension as soon as I retire, but if I leave now I will get a reduced pension starting at age 62.

I'm on the fence to leaving and going to work for a 135 operation. I just don't have the passion I once did when I was younger working in LE. So many needles police shootings, and the more I get to fly while at work, the more I wish I could be the one flying full time. I've stuck it out at work for the past few yrs because of the money, but now my happiness seems more important to me than the money.

astrowhip

I'd like to hear from those who made the jump from LE to 121, and if they have any regrets.

I'm currently a sergeant working the midnight shift for a municipal police department. I will most likely be on midnights for the next three years. My QOL is at an all-time low. I'm 31 years old and have been with my department for seven years. I fly part-time with the Air National Guard and could leave my police job at anytime for a regional gig (I'm not competitive enough for the majors yet).

Just exploring my options at this point. Curious to hear from those who have been there, done that. Thanks.

kls81

Hello,
Not sure if you made a decision yet but I've been there and done that.
I worked as commercial pilot prior to getting hired at a state LE agency. I was able to transfer into our aviation section within two years of getting on. After two years, in 2015 I left for the airlines. It was always my goal and if I was going to do it, now was the time. I got hired by a regional, went through training and started flying. I'm 36, married with 2 kids and I was commuting. Bottom line I hated it. The schedule was too difficult and it was too hard on my family and I being away. I left the airlines after a year and went back to LE. I was able to transfer back into the aviation section.
In saying that, this whole thing may have worked out differently if I chose an airline where I didn't have to commute.
I haven't totally abandoned the idea of the airlines for the future. Once the kids are grown and I can retire I may explore the possibility again.
Hope this helps, if you have anymore questions let me know.

Ken

astrowhip

Thanks for the response, Ken. All good stuff to think about. I have not made a decision yet. Unfortunately, my agency does not have an aviation wing. If it did, it would be a no-brainer to stay.

Calstar2018

Just the thread I was looking for!

I'm a 17 year regional pilot for an airline circling the drain. These days I commute to sit reserve and QOL is at an all time low. I've had apps out for over a year but can't get the nod from any airline that I would be willing to start over with.

12K hours and turning 50 this year doesn't make me the ideal candidate I suppose, even with a clean record and zero 121 training failures. We've had a few other pilots around my age and flight hours change careers and now I may be one as well.

When I was in my 20's being a pilot or a police officer were two jobs that always intrigued me. Well, I've got the T-shirt for the flying gig, and now that I've started testing for some local police departments, I just may be trading in the pilot wings for a patrol car.

SkyHigh

You could also look into corporate flying. Police departments are also hiring. Change is good.

Tater023

Actually being 50 Does make you a very ideal candidate. It's harder and harder to find mature and confident candidates. Most people fail out of the academy or get let go because they just can't speak to people. A lot of agencies are hiring older men/women looking to make career changes.

I'm 43, 8 years prior USMC, and 17 years now in LE as a Patrol LT for an agency in central WI. My son was recently hired for Fairbanks AK airport police/fire. They go to the state patrol academy in Sitka, which is where he is now. He has a few mid-late 40s guys and I think a 53 year old guy in the academy. He said a few of them have to work a little harder on the physical things but they make up for it in other areas.

As for me, I'm working towards commercial and hoping to get hired with a 135 in AK in the next year or two. Looking forward to new challenges and my wife and I would like to be a little closer to our son...hopefully he doesn't mind! LOL

I say Go For It! You'll never know unless you do it.

Bill