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CBP low pass over a speed boat, as in a couple feet!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CALcCWEF...eo_watch_again

I have been reading up on the forum here trying to learn as much as I can. I have started the process to complete my background investigations etc.
From what I am reading it looks like it can take anywhere from 3-5 years to get assigned a different location from the initial assignment.
I currently live 10-15 min away from the Conroe TX (CXO) location.
My questions are would it be possible “commute” and travel home to Conroe on my days off if assigned Laredo or similar? This is essentially what I’m doing for my current job (regional airline) where I get 11 days off a month and only get 2-3 days at a time at home anyhow.
Next question... is Conroe considered to be a more senior location or more desirable? How long would it take for me to be able to be assigned to Conroe?
Feel free to PM me.

I wouldn’t worry too much about the 3-5 year requirement. The relocation solicitations that have come out recently are not only just open to GS 11-12-13’s but also open to people attending the academy at FLETC.

I’m certain there isn’t any type of commuting that the agency will provide to you, you’ll have to travel home on your own but that should most definitely be allowed, if that answers your question.

Transferring up to Houston will take some patience and waiting for a spot to open up but not impossible. I believe all relocation funds are suspended until FY 21 as it stands right now.

Having your first duty location at one of the hard to fill locations on southern border will increase your chances of transferring as well. Even if someone with more seniority at a different location wants the same spot, you’ll be
giving first pick.

There is no such thing as a hard to fill location. The days of Laredo, McAllen, and the UAS sites being given priority over all other AMO locations are long gone (exception being Puerto Rico). if you're counting on one of these initial locations to be your golden ticket above someone at these other locations you're in for a good surprise. A pilot from Laredo has just as good a chance of getting Conroe as someone from Bellingham. Actually, probably less than the Bellingham pilot because you're new and don't know anyone.

Hey y'all,

Currently waiting for the poly to resume so I can tackle it. Chasing the July FLETC since April and May were full and delayed, July MIGHT be open and on schedule. A guy can hope. Also, there was word during our poly teleconference that there may be an all AIA academy class and they might host more AMO classes this fall since apparently AMO gets top-pick overall (that's how it appears). Anyway, exciting stuff. I'm stoked to put my BS in Criminology to some use since my airline gig folded up. Being a federal LEO/pilot sounds more fun anyway.

Anyone around here rippin' the Predator? Thoughts? The over-under right now is if you're a new AIA and wanna go FW, you're going to PR. Not all bad, except for the taxes. That being the case, I'll get cozy with UAS if there are no other openings, so long as I'm not stunting my growth. At least I'll get to be at home every night, or morning.

I've spoken with a handful of AIA's thus far, but how's the day-to-day vibe? Anyone in Sierra Vista? I hear downtime, side jobs within the branch, some flying. Are there opportunities to supplement other agencies? Chances to say join SRT -- like a beat cop who's also on SWAT? Whether we're pilots who are LEOs or LEOs who are pilots, it would be good to see the mission from different perspectives.

Any words of wisdom/caution? Things you wished you knew at the beginning?

Is there a good URL to see all the branches in the US and what they fly? To maybe target a particular branch, in time?

Anyway, happy to be here. Happy to matter.

Are most new hires going to UAS positions? Or are the only FW spots in PR?

During a new-hire teleconference and on the job description itself, they're offering:

1. Yuma, AZ
2. Sierra Vista, AZ
3. San Angelo, TX
4. El Paso, TX
5. and some city that I can't spell in PR.

1 is rotary only. The only options that offer FW are 2, 3, 4, 5. Of those, 2 and 3 are UAS but 2 has C206 and 3 has PC12 (for currency). 5 is Dash-8 and moving to King Air 350 and 4 we were told is just "ASEL".

I think that's decently accurate.

So out of the new hire bases, El Paso is the only location that offers true fixed wing flying as a full time position? Not considering UAS as fixed wing since you're not actually in the physical airplane flying (aside from currency).

Aguadilla. -8's. For now.

Bummer. Lived in PR before for a previous job and don't have much interest in moving back. What's life like for the UAS folks? Ideally would like to get on with a true flying position within the contiguous U.S., not PR and not flying UAS.

Found this on Google: https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/...ting-locations

No pretty pictures or maps, but it should give you an idea of operating locations.

I had a solid chat with a former UAS chap on the ups and downs (he may even reach out to you as he did me) and it's routine patrols, 99.9% automation, likely long, boring shifts with a somewhat possible chance of going to a new branch if the Director authorizes it.

I believe the majority of pilots for the agency are lifers with a ton of experience. Granted I don't know where you experience lies, but if it isn't X amount of years in the Navy or Air Force flying jets or multiple tours to the Middle East flying a UH-60, or already being with the agency and having something fall into your lap, I wouldn't hold your breath. I'm not.

BUT, I did speak with a former colleague who started his AIA journey in PR on the -8 and one year later transferred to Miami and is now living his best life.

And a final thought, come October there may not being any flying related jobs left. Therefore, the MQ9 could be the best thing ever. After all, its a job, pay, and benefits.

Im being told Laredo is also a new hire location as well for FW guys. What do they fly in Laredo?

Interesting, good to know. Thanks for the inside info!

I think I may know your Miami guy. PB?


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Is PR going UAS? Or just to King Air's?

Yup, small world!

San Angelo, TX – UAS and PC-12

Sierra Vista, AZ – UAS and C206

Laredo, TX – C206 and AS350

El Paso, TX – C206, AS350, UH60

PR
 

Dash-8’s are getting upgraded and will be around for a while. King airs will probably come in to supplement.

Are they still hiring direct into Aguadilla?

What are the chances of getting to JAX on the P3 eventually?

I applied with what I hope is a competitive resume. 6,000 total time, 2,000+ TPIC, leadership positions. What’s the normal frame of time it takes to hear back?

From what I've been told, the P3 positions are given to those with prior Navy P3 time or other heavy military time. Also to those that have friends currently flying P3s. Not really much of a chance getting the P3 anytime within your first couple years at CBP AMO.

It sounds like most fixed-wing new hires are being sent to fly UAS. You get to fly a C206 occasionally to maintain currency, but otherwise you're flying the MQ9. Transfers take 3-5 years, and even then it can be tough to get a king air spot.

If you want to fly an actual airplane your best bet is PR on the -8s and king airs down in Aguadilla. If you have rotor time you might be able to get a location where you can fly both FW and RW.

TLDR; if you only have a fixed-wing cert, you're pretty much going to be flying drones.

OMG over 5800 views to this thread in a week! Things must be getting fugly out there. To all applying, don't get so wrapped up with your specific quals and think HQ will match them to a location. You could have a gazillion rotor hours with no airplane tickets and still fly the pred! The 5 or so garden spots are where 90 plus % of where the newhires will go. Yes, it is possible to be redirected at the last minute to another location not listed but very unlikely. Apply, stay the course and see what is offered. Good luck!

Thanks for the replies... I keep reading mixed info. Is Aguadilla still being assigned to new hires?

from a recruiter:

Duty Locations:

Fixed wing applicants are currently being offered - Sierra Vista, AZ, Laredo, TX, San Angelo, TX
Dual Rated and Rotor wing applicants are currently being offered - El Paso, TX, Laredo, TX, San Angelo, TX, Sierra Vista, AZ, Yuma, AZ

Note: The final location preference will be gathered following the polygraph and confirmed after the flight assessment. Due to the extremely high influx of applicants, and the disruptions of COVID, we are unable to provide a single location selection at this time.

Note - I am an applicant so others might have more data. I just had a conference call they do for applicants yesterday.

As far as qualifications - the recruiter told me a month or so ago if you meet the basic qualifications, you're in. No worries about trying to be more competitive. Aguadilla is not available for the remainder of the FY since they don't have money to move people there. You have to have the "I'm just happy to be here" mindset. They told me since I'm typed in the UH60 with PC time, plus ASEL and AMEL, I have more options, but most airplane only guys are going to the UAS. Who knows though. We could get down to selection day and all they have are UAS locations. Unlikely, but possible. I'd still take the job.

Off the wall question, how does CBP: AMO view seniority? I've heard plenty of stories about highly qualified aviators applying vs. low time guys, does it matter who comes aboard first? Say 3 or so years down the road and an opportunity arises and Person A has 3 years of service, low hours and Person B has 1 year of service but high hours and assuming all other aspects are somewhat similar, who gets the slot? How do Directors go about it?

Kind of a food for thought thing because if it is based on experience and not seniority, if you're a low time dude, I feel like there won't ever be the availability to transfer out of UAS.

Diver can chime in here also, but the answer is really all of the above. Time, skill set, reputation, politics all play a role. I don’t want to say good ole boy network because the current leadership, in my view, has done a good job of leveling the field to the extent possible. But relationships certainly matter. AMO is an extremely small, tight knit community. Everyone knows or knows of everyone else after just a few years in. It’s not the 121 seniority system, or the military. AMO is definitely unique.

AMO doesn't really consider seniority. There are no seniority numbers like in the airlines, so generally speaking your AMO reputation will be more important than who came onboard first. This is a small organization within CBP and DHS so read into what you will.

No one expects you to stay at your initial "new hire" location. So I'll add one more word of advice. Once you're a mission-qualified pilot at your first duty location and you decide you want to put in for a transfer, do yourself a favor and visit the branch/unit you would like to transfer to. 1) a face to the resume and application goes a long ways, 2) learn about their mission (each location is different), and finally 3) make sure you could see yourself working there/living there for a few years.

Good luck.

If you guys know any P-3 drivers in Jax please PM me.

FLETC is opening today
 

Word is FLETC will reopen today. Don't know when the first class will start though. At least this is something new.

Woo! Also, the polygraph is back online in a very limited capacity. Arizona, Texas, and Georgia. No crossing state lines, accommodations, or flights provided to report to an exam. Obviously subject to change.

I believe there is a two week quarantine once you’re there before your class starts up and you cannot leave for the duration of your training to Including weekends.

New hire
 

True statement above! No leaving the campus for the entire Basic Academy and add another month for Spanish if you don't pass the language proficiency test.

Does that mean no going home to the fam, or no going off the campus to Walmart or dinner? Wow would FLETC suck without Southern Soul.

So since you can't leave the "campus" what is there to do besides study, PT, shoot and whatever else? Is there a fence around the place like a military base? Is there a gym or golf course? What do you do for chow? Is there a chow hall like the military?

Thanks for any input.

I was going to ask the same thing.
My last duty station, NAS LEMOORE, was like a little city. Totally self-contained. When I first got there I think I left the base for two Hail-N-Farewells! I have a feeling the FLETC campus is not quite the same.

FLETC is a secured campus with fencing and full time armed security. All the gyms and mat rooms that are utilized for training are also available after hours and on weekends. My housing unit had a small “movie room”, pool tables and open spaces to study and hang out with friends. There are usually special events on the weekend where you can drink and even “club” or meet your next FLETC love. There are also areas to fish, bbq and trails to walk.

campus has barber shop, convenience store and even a post office. I definitely wouldn’t want to be stuck there full time but I spent 99 percent of my time on campus.

Will the academy let me take my wife with me? I am getting ready to apply and I would like to know that to plan accordingly. Also does anyone know how much the process is taking now with COVID-19?

No, they will not allow anyone else to come with except for graduation. Right now the process is basically on hold unless you have a Poly waiver. I’ve been on Fast Track for 3 months.


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