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Airline to law enforcement

Old 10-22-2013, 10:57 AM
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I noticed there are a few guys who left the police / sheriff's department to become pilots. When asked they all told me that their heart just wasn't in it and they always wanted to fly airplanes for a living.
Is there anyone out there that has done the opposite and left the airlines for a career in law enforcement? If so how did it go? Any regrets?
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Old 10-22-2013, 12:02 PM
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Why would anyone leave the best job in the world for the worst?
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Old 10-22-2013, 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Ultralight View Post
I noticed there are a few guys who left the police / sheriff's department to become pilots. When asked they all told me that their heart just wasn't in it and they always wanted to fly airplanes for a living.
Is there anyone out there that has done the opposite and left the airlines for a career in law enforcement? If so how did it go? Any regrets?
My dad did it a couple times. AF to PG County police, then to airline for 15 years, back to police VSP, then 747's, and finally back to VSP.

All he talks about is the tickets he's written to some smoking chick and the L-1011. If I hear one more Tristar story and its "innovations", I'm gonna cut my ear drums out!
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Old 10-22-2013, 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by mike734 View Post
Why would anyone leave the best job in the world for the worst?
Job security, pension, home every night, job satisfaction, career progression, serving the community, etc.

If your company is the best job in the world, who is it and are they hiring?

My point to this thread wasn't to compare the 2 professions, more to test the water to see if anyone has done this and whether they regretted it or not.
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Old 10-22-2013, 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Ultralight View Post
Job security, pension, home every night, job satisfaction, career progression, serving the community, etc.

If your company is the best job in the world, who is it and are they hiring?

My point to this thread wasn't to compare the 2 professions, more to test the water to see if anyone has done this and whether they regretted it or not.

Where do you live Light?
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Old 10-22-2013, 02:31 PM
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Law Enforcement the worse profession in the world?

Ultralight - probably one of my other 'wishes' was to be law enforcement so I can certainly understand your interest in the transition. Probably the job I would have wanted the most was CBP Air/Marine after getting out of ther military, but I would not have physically qualified, and even during the military I've often said how much I would have liked to have flown for the USCG for both of their missions (SAR/LE) would have provided such satisfaction that it is certainly a career that you could hang your hat on (as the song goes )

I'm interested if something is waiting in the wings for you to have brought this question up - a job announcement, you know people in law enforcement, you have an application in and got a hit of interest, etc....
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Old 10-22-2013, 03:54 PM
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Originally Posted by USMCFLYR View Post
Law Enforcement the worse profession in the world?

Ultralight - probably one of my other 'wishes' was to be law enforcement so I can certainly understand your interest in the transition. Probably the job I would have wanted the most was CBP Air/Marine after getting out of ther military, but I would not have physically qualified, and even during the military I've often said how much I would have liked to have flown for the USCG for both of their missions (SAR/LE) would have provided such satisfaction that it is certainly a career that you could hang your hat on (as the song goes )

I'm interested if something is waiting in the wings for you to have brought this question up - a job announcement, you know people in law enforcement, you have an application in and got a hit of interest, etc....
ERJF15 I live in AZ.

I always wanted to be a cop as a kid. My father was a police chief and retired young with a nice pension. He loved every day of it and misses it dearly.
I love flying but I don't really enjoy being a pilot if that makes sense. I've done the airlines (was captain at a regional for 5 years) done the corporate, and now fly part 135.
The local Sheriff's office is opening their application window early next year and I'm contemplating sending my app. I'm sure it won't all be roses and I could earn more money staying in aviation, but it looks like a very rewarding career. There's no guarantee I would get in or even make it to the end. I read that in the last class, 29 made it out of the 44 that started training. Some were let go, others just quit. I have prior military experience so I'm not worried about tough training regiments.
The Sheriffs office has its own aviation department too. I see the guys in the FBO at night. They circle the city in modified cessnas with PT6 engines with advanced imaging equipment. They always have interesting stories to tell.
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Old 10-22-2013, 03:56 PM
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Default Airline to law enforcement

I have always yearned to fly, join the military, and be involved in Law Enforcement.

After spending thousands of dollars on flight training, I decided in my mid-twenties that flying in the military wasn't the best route for me.

After making Captain at the regionals at 33, I decided to make all my career aspirations come true. I enlisted in the Coast Guard Reserve as a Maritime Law Enforcement Specialist. Couldn't have been happier with my decision to do so. I get to conduct law enforcement in a military environment when not flying for a living!
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Old 10-22-2013, 04:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Ultralight View Post
ERJF15 I live in AZ.

I always wanted to be a cop as a kid. My father was a police chief and retired young with a nice pension. He loved every day of it and misses it dearly.
I love flying but I don't really enjoy being a pilot if that makes sense. I've done the airlines (was captain at a regional for 5 years) done the corporate, and now fly part 135.
The local Sheriff's office is opening their application window early next year and I'm contemplating sending my app. I'm sure it won't all be roses and I could earn more money staying in aviation, but it looks like a very rewarding career. There's no guarantee I would get in or even make it to the end. I read that in the last class, 29 made it out of the 44 that started training. Some were let go, others just quit. I have prior military experience so I'm not worried about tough training regiments.
The Sheriffs office has its own aviation department too. I see the guys in the FBO at night. They circle the city in modified cessnas with PT6 engines with advanced imaging equipment. They always have interesting stories to tell.
Gruder - what a great step to take to include all of your interests!
Before joining the military, I looked into the Oklahoma State Highway Patrol because I knew they have an aviation department. You had to spend 5 years minimum in a cruiser before even applying. I did apply to a could of local police departments before getting selected for OCS. The one that I miss the most though was an interview set up with the US Marshals Service. I still wish I had taken the opportunity to interview prior to leaving just for the experience.

Ultralight - I wouldn't worry too much about why others dropped out of the training program. I'd be willling to bet that many found the training a little too tough for the 'hand me everything on a plate' crowd that would be applying for positions right out of school. With your previous experience and background - to include the military - I'm sure that you've seen most of what they would throw at you. If you decide to pursue the path - best of luck!
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Old 10-22-2013, 05:54 PM
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I transitioned from a regional to law enforcement about three years ago. No real regrets. Sure I sometimes reflect on my high school career dream of being a wide body captain with two overseas trips a month, auto pilot on, FA in one hand, mint julep in the other and 300K annually but I think those days have passed. I am fortunate to be flying full time with an aviation section in a state agency. The “make a difference “ aspect is certainly there. Whether you find a lost boater or provide air support to a team serving a high risk warrant, it’s rewarding. I enjoy being home most every night and the take home police interceptor with a trunk full of guns is a bonus.
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