He said KA350(s).

We were told SD is helo only, at least as far as new hires are concerned.

Could be that the announcement is for Brown Field, not North Island- I'm pretty sure Brown Field only has helos.

Everyone starts in the T-6 now. So yep, if a Navy helo bubba goes and takes the FAA Mil Comp exam and shows his/her pilot training records to the FSDO, they will get an ASEL commercial.

ok roger that, thanks

everyone receiving an RI will see it time out after the 3rd year.

What about the SSR?

Supposedly OK for now.

RI?

As far as SSR, part of the big reason for making it an actual pay rate was that it couldn’t just be given and taken away like a incentive/bonus - correct?

q

A couple of months ago our managing SES visited us. He mentioned the RI's going away for everyone except of course the UAS folks. As for the SSR, the thought is that it also will be going away eventually because of the airline/covid employment issues. Keep in mind that this is pure speculation from our visiting SES and not gospel. Apparently the SSR has to be justified annually with OPM. With all this said, if and when it does disappear save pay should occur for an additional 2 years.
The implementation of the SSR was certainly a well deserved surprise. Just keep your fingers crossed and enjoy the ride.

Would it be a good idea to go for an AEA position and then apply for the AIA at a later date? I'm a Commercial SEL guy getting up there in age (36) and CBP AMO is where I want to be. Ultimately, I want to be an AIA but I don't have the funding to add the Heli add on to qualify for the AIA at the moment. Any advice for a guy like me?

Are you an LE guy with veterans preference?

Do you meet the KSAs for the AEA position listed on the USAjobs announcement? The AEAs in my academy class all had extensive law enforcement and or military experience. The former Border patrol guys all had vet preference plus 10-15 years on patrol plus experience as supplemental aircrew members in AMO. The guys without law enforcement experience came straight from the military with 10-15 years of time as aircraft sensor operators or helicopter crew chiefs. There are also more than a few air force PJ/ army ranger type guys in the hiring pipeline. Lots of competition out there.

I am a veteran but not much of an LE background besides being a security forces augmentee.

I wasn't able to look through the KSA's as the only AEA position on USA jobs currently was for a supervisor. So, I don't know if I would meet the KSA's or not. I was just thinking about how I might get into CBP AMO. My Mil experience is as a heavy aircraft crew chief (C-130/KC-135) and Bio-environmetal Engineering. Sounds like I may not have the qualifications to be competitive for the AEA position. Is there any other way to get into CBP and make my way to an AIA slot? Or is it best to continue to build hours and save for a rotor add on and apply later?

AIA is actually the “easiest” way to get into AMO. AEA and MIA are hands down the most competitive positions in the agency. Joining OFO or USBP would be the fastest way the join CBP but that will do nothing to get you into a AIA slot. I would simply recommend that you do whatever it takes and spend as much money and time it would cost to meet all the requirements for the AIA position.

That is one of the most idiotic suggestions I’ve have heard. Do not spend as much time and money to meet the requirements to become an AIA.

Spend the time and money to pursue an aviation career, if that’s what you want. There are to many variables beyond your control to focus you all your resources to become and AIA.

BTW CBP is not the only career path for guys who want to be federal LE pilots. Look at the DEA as well. They have a significant need for pilots due to retirements.

whoa! Easy cowboy. “CBP AMO is where I want to be” That was his sentiment and my suggestion was based on that. Any Buffoon can can figure out how to pursue a career in aviation, this dude wants to know how to become an AIA. Grom is the same person who started this thread three years ago, I assume he has ganas to work for AMO. Good luck amigo.

Thank you for the DEA suggestion but it looks like I am too old. According to their job postings you have to be appointed by 36.

I do want an aviation career and I understand that AIA isn't a given since it seems like many stumble on the Poly or other things. AMO just seems like the best fit for the career that I am looking for. I like the idea of different flying everyday and in different aircraft. I could do the rotate, positive rate, gear up, autopilot on thing if I had to, but the AMO mission just seems to me like it would fit me better.

Does DEA bring you in to specifically be a pilot or do you have to spend a few years as a ground agent before applying for their aviation division?

When I looked into it, and others getting out of the military around the same time - 5 years being an agent before being able to even look at aviation IIRC.
i know a current DEA pilot. I’ll pose the question to him and see if I can get a current answer.

Edit:

Response:
“You need to be hired as an agent (GS-1811) first and do two years "street time" then apply for a Pilot slot. "First platform" will likely be a Cessna 206 unless you go to South America or Mexico and fly the King Air.”

That’s not really accurate anymore... I spoke with a group supervisor of the DEA air wing and due their pilot shortage the 2 year street requirement is not necessarily a requirement anymore.

if you are have some decent experience (commercial, ME, instrument) you can get into the Air Wing in a much shorter time frame. They need guys who can become PICs quickly, because their experience is retiring.

I’m sure hiring practices change with the times. Our standard applicant has certainly changed over my ten years on the job and will change again in the upcoming application windows.

You say get into the Air Wing “In a much shorter time frame”, so you are disagreeing with the 2 year time frame, not that an applicant much spend time as a line agent first?

They are (or were) very short. Current agents with a private have been offered the air wing with the agency paying for CSEL & instrument, with a choice of locations.

Appreciate the info from all above posters regarding the DEA options. I'll be looking into that as I separate from active duty in March of 2021. Here's to hoping the drawn out nature of government hiring, plus the required training for Federal Agents means they are still short.

For guys who have qualifications above and beyond a private (especially if you are type rated or have helo time), your time spent as line agent maybe as short as the time it takes to go through the Air Wing application process.

Make no mistake about if you get on with the DEA, you are a Special Agent first. In addition getting through their hiring process and academy is no joke; however, for guys who are well qualified, the time to being able to apply and get accepted to the Air Wing is much much shorter. Another thing about the DEA Air Wing, their dudes seem to have a high job satisfaction.

At the end of day the Air Wing has had to adjust their hiring practices and some of the old rules may not be applicable anymore.

Got a buddy who works DEA. Did a few years on the street, now flies the 206. Loves his job.

Does anyone have any insights if they have opened FLETC now with the new fiscal year? Also anyone on the hiring pool has received any tentative date?

Couple of people were to have the polygraph.
I wonder how those went.
Any updates from those posters out there?

I am at FLETC now. I have over heard there will be between 4-7 classes next year. I am scheduled to graduate Jan 7 2021. Hope this helps.

Ah nice I didn't know that people were at FLETC. I have passed the polygraph just waiting for an interview date and background. Hopefully I will get everything done to start FLETC next year.

I'm around the same spot as you. Everything complete except the flight checkand background is in progress. I'm thinking we'll be doing our check ride summer 2021 and start FLETC spring/summer 2022. Would be stoked if that timeline gets shortened, but that's what I'm planning for.

Are you solid with the opportunity with CBP or will you be looking for something else during that time and if an opportunity comes along then you will re-evaluate at that time?

The CBP AMO opportunity is the top of my list at this time. I've been able to check most of the "been there, done that" boxes in a traditional airline career and am looking forward to a new mission.

It will be 2022 at the earliest I was told and I have everything done. Sadly the wait keeps getting longer not shorter.

Hey, quick question. How long did your background check take?

Update from FLETC. Right now 7 classes are scheduled for next year. The next class shows up on Dec 28. Then a 2nd class will show up mid Jan. Third class will begin in March. I did not here any time frames for the other classes. Obviously this is all subject to change.

Nice hopefully more than one is for AIA's ! Thank you for letting us know

a long time especially for someone with ts/sci already lol

So it seems like alot of people here are just waiting for the background/flight assessment.
Two questions, any idea if we get an email or any type of notification once the background investigation is complete?
And with the recent medical breakthrough with a possible vaccine on the horizon what are the chances these FLETC timelines
will speed up?