FBI or Delta
 

I'm trying to decide which path to take. I've got interviews with both. Money is obviously better at Delta but that's not everything to me. Please share your opinions!!

well, doubt many know much about Delta AND the FBI but glad to answer Delta questions.

Have a former roommate that went the FBI route...at the time, pilots were going to the top of the list for interviews...this was back in early to mid 90's. He enjoyed it a great deal but I don't think he flies that much, anymore. Good part is that you can retire after 20 years, govmn't job, and bennies...however long they last. Good luck with the interviews....DW

I don't know much about the FBI, but I have a friend that has about 20 years with the DEA and he always tells me he wishes he had my job.

Sometimes I think I want a little more out of a career than just flying from point A to point B. But I don't know. It seems most delta guys are happy with their jobs. Has it been a good ride for you? Would you do it again?

Is the FBI job a flying job?

Special Agent. But yes it could be. All FBI pilots are special agents.

I'd be interested in the QOL at the FBI. After retiring at 20, I think the FBI gig would open more doors, especially for jobs other than a Point A to B bus driver.

Maybe do both....

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/73...b7a6c7afd7.jpg

I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you...:eek::D;)

Honestly?? Man, do not be asking on an Internet forum what life path to take... Unless you have no friends or support system.
Good luck whatever you do.

I used to think that, too. But this gig provides me with more time with my family and more flexibility than most of my buddies in "straight" jobs. There are drawbacks, to be sure, but all in all, they're worth it.

With my previous government job experience (military) I am so glad to be outside the rat race, paperwork, and bureaucracy of a government job. Granted, being an SA is not a completely cubicle-based existence...but the red tape would be stifling.

It boils down to this: I say "shutdown checklist complete" and I go home to see my family and do my own thing until I work again. If I think about my job (by posting here, for example) it's strictly by choice.

What kind of fixed wing aircraft does the FBI fly? What kind of pay? What are the pilot requirements? Sorry for the 20 questions, but I was just trying to find it on their website with no luck... I am guessing you must know somebody who works/flies for them?

Honestly, why not? Isn't that the whole idea? If you prefer I can go track you down in the b concourse and ask you in person. And yes I have friends.

Yes, I know 3 people who have flown there. Unfortunately, they haven't flown in the airlines. Mostly Cessna 182s, 210s, some caravans in larger cities, and gulfstreams in DC. They have helicopters some places but I don't know anything about that. GS 13 plus leap and locality pay. Start out as GS 10.

Thanks for the insight!!

Why would you want to be a nameless, faceless cog in the machinery of a disfunctional law enforcement bureaucracy when you can be paid 4x more to be nameless and faceless in a huge corporation? Go for the money and time off and spend raise a family.

If you can pass the screening, exams, and agility tests, secret clearance, and qualify, the FBI would open your doors to limitless career fields. You've been selected academically already. The rest is up to you.

If you have any ratings at all, you can easily score a seat at the best of both worlds: Flying and federal law enforcement. Not writing traffic tickets or performing sobriety tests, but counter terrorism and high profile gigs. Think of it like navy seals stuff for the average Joe. The tools and equipment at your fingertips will be mind blowing. You'll be involved with things most will never see.

I say go for it.

FBI agent will mean your job is your life, taking precedence over friends and family.

Delta pilot means you can have the time off (and money) to do the things you want, when you want to (as seniority allows).

FBI would probably be more rewarding and fulfilling, but also more bureaucracy.

Depends what you want out of life.

Do both.

Take the FBI job now, put in 20 years, get a Gubmint retirement then go to the Airlines when you are 43, fly for 22 more years.

Seriously, have you seen the ATL RSV MD88B routine lately?

Seniority works in all fields as well. A senior field agent with a good service record can have a wonderful life. No different than a senior airline pilot living in base.

It's all based on perspective and what one wants to do for a living. Fly straight and level 4-8 hours a day, or do some criminal investigation.

I mean really. You will almost never get a traffic ticket again! Get a red Ferrari!

I'm struggling with this as well. Except I don't have an interview with delta or anyone else for that matter. Seems I cannot get an interview anywhere. I understand your situation. Pm me and we can crisscross ideas.

Reserve at the regionals is infamously bad. Delta has to be better, right?

Will they let you shoot Snowden? Or at least put a bag over his head and give him a nice workout....

Go to delta and sign up for the ffdo program. You can fly and carry a nifty little fed badge and gun. Win win.

Well then, I think you have to compare titles:


Delta: *Double Breasted Van Admiral

FBI: Captain Special Agent - FBI Pilot


Tough choice. :D

If it's possible, I think that tips the scale to the feds. :D

After reading through the thread, this sounds like the best idea to me! But then again, I don't know jack squat about either. Sorry for chiming in.

With the volume of retirements and fleet plan at Delta no one hired in the next few years will be forced to be on reserve after their first year with the company.

Personal gratification is what it's all about. You said it well, it's not all about money. I would lean in the direction of my passion without a thought.
If the system works, your Delta interview may reveal your indecisiveness and lack of passion for just being a pilot flying from A to B and you might not get a choice at all.
It's not for everyone. No matter how eventful and demanding a flight may be, when successfully concluded and the brakes are set, no book has been written, no bridge has been built, no bad guy has been brought to justice and there is nothing to show for it. For me that's great, I'm fulfilled by doing the best I can at what I do, get off of the airplane and go have some fun whith what it allows me to afford. That's plenty for me but I think it would really suck for one who needs to be more creative for their fulfillment.
You should be proud of your work that put you in a position to have such a dilemma. Your questioning might be indicitave of A and B flying not cutting it for you.
Best of luck to you. Please keep us posted.
CG

If it helps I was offered the FBI level 2 testing/field prep back in 08' when things were looking ugly again at DL. The AIC explicitly said "don't waste our time if you aren't going to take the job". I turned down the next stage of the process to remain at DL. I haven't regretted my decision yet.

Night and day with these two choices. If I were you I'd pick FBI hands down.

WRT Purple....with whom I almost never agree on, he is spot on with the red sentence above.

I looked at the DEA a few years ago. I'm guessing the aviation jobs at both agencies are somewhat similar. After talking to a good friend of mine who works for the DEA I decided to stick with the airlines. According to him the flying varies depending on which office you're out of but it's likely you'll do lots of survellience work. The idea of circling a house or car for hours in a C-182 just didn't sound that appealing to me. The DEA also requires you to work for 2 years as a SA before you can transfer to the air wing. I'm not sure if the FBI has the same requirement.

Delta. If you're looking for anonymous opinions then you're not smart enough for the FBI.

I flew with an F/O at DAL who was a special agent in OAK during his furlough. He wasn't flying, just a special agent. He said the job was interesting, but the hours were killing him. It was tough to have a home life. He was glad to come back to DAL. He had some great stories.

When I was in the military, we did some flying on behalf of various law enforcement agencies. It was ungodly boring.

The DEA also requires you to work for 2 years as a SA before you can transfer to the air wing. I'm not sure if the FBI has the same requirement.[/QUOTE]

FBI is the same.

At this point, that is the main hangup for me with the FBI.

I had a similar choice. I interviewed and passed, was offered a job as a SA with the FBI, but decided against it. I sometimes regret it, sometimes not.

Are you really familiar with the type of flying the Feds do? It is quite boring. If you eventually go to the G5, you will almost never be home. Forget about things as "min rest," etc. If you maybe want to have the option of flying, and do something else there, it might be a good option.

But first, before you even ask about "which should I choose," you need to have 2 options available. Do you have a Delta interview? If not, you have no decision yet.

Pass the interviews.

FBI in a couple of years it will be open season on those racist teapartyers. Think of the career advancement potential. You'll be flying FBI drones in no time.

That's what interests me the most about the FBI, and coming home every night.

Yes I do. In several weeks.

Since you're not at Eagle, where are you, if you don't mind?