if you like flying this...
https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/..._1_900x600.jpg

Current feeling at CBP...
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/074...G?v=1516939760

Hope this explains CBP AMO and I've been with them for 20+ years

CBP Sensor operator for UAS
 

Quick question for CBP pilots. I spent 6yrs in the AF as a sensor / payload operator on Preds and Reaper UAS platforms. I attended a hiring fair for CBP and the recruiter talked me up about how much CBP is using their UAS in the field and how my military experience would be a fit. I'm currently working as a contractor for GA for UAS missions OCONUS. Money is good and I have great down time, but I'm a little burned out on spending so much time in the box.

Long story short, I applied for a aviation enforcement agent position I've passed the polygraph, passed background and just took my drug test and other physical. My question for you CBP pilots is, what's my chance of ever getting into a real airplane or maybe even a helicopter? I do hold a commercial single/multi engine license and someday hope to fly for a cargo or charter outfit.

Does CBP ever allow the sensor guys to fly, provided they are licensed pilots? Coming from a UAS background, I know full well the weather limitations on the UAS, so my question is what do CBP agents do on non flying days? I'm still waiting on my final official job offer, and I don't know when I would be attending the CBP academy.

Sorry for the long post, just trying to learn about the job. I've read every post on this site about the CBP pilots, but there is no mention about the sensor agent.

let me try and answer these:

1-Does CBP ever allow the sensor guys to fly, provided they are licensed pilots?
yes they will fly a cessna 206 or astar.

2-Coming from a UAS background, I know full well the weather limitations on the UAS, so my question is what do CBP agents do on non flying days?
collateral duties, go fly manned aircraft or patrol with USBP

3-I'm still waiting on my final official job offer, and I don't know when I would be attending the CBP academy.
about 3-4 months

Or sit around and watch Netflix.


Avoid it like the plague. Max out your rotations/$ and invest in flight time and certifications, then go to a regional and move on up.

Leadership in the organization is reaching a level of incompetence the is epic even for the government.

No, that's not the issue. The problem with the mission is how supervision executes it... And how the mission really isn't what it's about anymore. It has become nothing more than a flying hour program. More hours and less people, used ineffectively leads to colossal frustration.

Thanks for the input

Let me also provide a NON-endorsement for CBP OAM. Avoid it.

Keep those recruiters honest - most of them are Boat drivers and Enforcement Agents. Most of the Pilots have resigned from recruiting.

If you want to fly airplanes, DO NOT accept an AEA position. The former reply was incorrect on you flying an AStar or Cessna 206 on your non flying days. You may be inside an AStar or other aircraft, but the likelihood of you logging any pilot time (legally) is near zero. The only “quality” flight time out there is the DHC-8 and that will get you a regional pilot job.

Management took a great and effective organization and made it a competition to burn flight hours. Hours, not enforcement stats, is the goal. Nearly every Pilot I know at CBP is wearing retirement handcuffs & not happy about sticking around. Nearly every AEA I know with a Pilots license is trying to get stick time or a AIA conversion- and not being picked up.

Don’t go CBP in this Pilot hiring window. Honest advice for your flying career.

Interesting. Why aren't they getting picked up? It seems CBP is hurting for pilots. Are they also hurting for AEAs and don't want to cannibalize?

Also where are the new MEA King Air 350s being placed? Are any of them going to the Southern Border, specifically any of the places that are hiring?

If the agency is hurting for pilots, why wouldn't they promote from within? If there's AEA's who meet the license requirements and have the hours, why doesn't CBP make them pilots? I can understand the agency not allowing a low time guy to fly your Dash-8 or UH60, but what about the C206?, after all it's a Cessna

I'm still waiting to hear from the hiring center when and if I get the job

Terrific question and the answer lies in the Reagan Building. The Border Patrol used to make their own pilots. Ten-or-so years ago OAM / AMO would hire FW only folks, assign them to mixed bases, and send them to get their RW cert.

In 2013 we had a HSI agent in Laredo (Former Regional Pilot w/ FWME ATP), who wanted to stay in Laredo for family reasons, apply for a DHS only AIA announcement. This is about the same time OAM was pushing for better investigative programs with in the agency. He was turned down because he wasn't dual rated. That made no sense. He left DHS to investigate mail fraud.

Not long there after the Deputy AC was in town, a non-pilot former Customs AEA, and he said that new AIA's needed to pay their dues before joining OAM. Terrible philosophy considering how successful the USBP program was.