CBP Air Interdiction Agent (Pilot)
#231
On Reserve
Joined APC: Mar 2019
Position: 4000+ hours TT, 700 NVG
Posts: 13

New applicants, the devil is in the details. Here is the type of issues you have to look forward to.
I asked management today who is working the 4th of July holiday since the schedule still isn't published for July. I asked if there will be any seniority or system to determine who will be required to work that day.
BTW, its a Federal Holiday. So normally its a paid day off. Federal employees who are required to work that day get a premium pay to work on their "day off".
I was told whoever worked it last year will not be required to work it this year. OK, kinda fair I guess. People wont have to work on the 4th two years in a row. I asked if there is any preference to senior employees. No. Does the Mission Suport Staff work that day? No. Will management be here that day? No
Now here is the important part. I asked if we will get premium pay to work our day off, now that nearly all of us in the office are at the pay cap. Yep, you guessed it. His answer was, I don't know, but don't expect to make any extra money just because you are working a holiday now that you are capped.
There you have it. The bait and switch. Bait you with a special salary pay, then have you work for free on Sundays and holidays. So really its not a bonus. Its more pay for more work. But now the pay is capped.
Don't be fooled by this Special Salary Rate. Its good, but its has strings attached. Its like being in the military all over again. Everyone gets the same pay for different work. The E-3 mail clerk that never works nights or weekends gets the same pay as a E-3 that lives in the field and works nights and through the weekend. Not saying the ski is falling. Just saying this is what you should be prepared for.
These are the questions you should ask your recruiter. Remember, we are a 24/7 - 365 operation.
Do I get paid extra for nights, weekends and holidays? Will I get paid extra if my day off falls on a TDY day in a hotel? Will I get paid extra for any additional or special aviation qualifications or duties?
We do have nice uniforms, said nobody ever!
I asked management today who is working the 4th of July holiday since the schedule still isn't published for July. I asked if there will be any seniority or system to determine who will be required to work that day.
BTW, its a Federal Holiday. So normally its a paid day off. Federal employees who are required to work that day get a premium pay to work on their "day off".
I was told whoever worked it last year will not be required to work it this year. OK, kinda fair I guess. People wont have to work on the 4th two years in a row. I asked if there is any preference to senior employees. No. Does the Mission Suport Staff work that day? No. Will management be here that day? No
Now here is the important part. I asked if we will get premium pay to work our day off, now that nearly all of us in the office are at the pay cap. Yep, you guessed it. His answer was, I don't know, but don't expect to make any extra money just because you are working a holiday now that you are capped.
There you have it. The bait and switch. Bait you with a special salary pay, then have you work for free on Sundays and holidays. So really its not a bonus. Its more pay for more work. But now the pay is capped.
Don't be fooled by this Special Salary Rate. Its good, but its has strings attached. Its like being in the military all over again. Everyone gets the same pay for different work. The E-3 mail clerk that never works nights or weekends gets the same pay as a E-3 that lives in the field and works nights and through the weekend. Not saying the ski is falling. Just saying this is what you should be prepared for.
These are the questions you should ask your recruiter. Remember, we are a 24/7 - 365 operation.
Do I get paid extra for nights, weekends and holidays? Will I get paid extra if my day off falls on a TDY day in a hotel? Will I get paid extra for any additional or special aviation qualifications or duties?
We do have nice uniforms, said nobody ever!

#232
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: A220 First Officer
Posts: 563

I just read an article about CBP recently announcing a switch from the H&K P2000 to the Glock G47. Will new hires at FLETC be qualifying with the P2000 or the G47? Are new hires being issued the new G47? Do AMO pilots carry a service weapon at all times when on duty?
Thanks
Thanks
#233
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: A220 First Officer
Posts: 563

"Oh it’s all starting to make sense now. A person smart enough to transfer into a P3 branch as a GS13 when everyone else who had the job was a GS14. Then you want to claim people at other locals are over paid and you’re underpaid."
Can I get some more details on this? Are pilots at P3 branches normally paid at GS14 level? Why would everyone else who had the job be a GS14 and he isn't?
Also, if my goal is to get to a P3 branch, how long can I expect to wait until I can transfer to Corpus Christi or Jacksonville? Is their a certain base, aircraft, or path I should take to be more likely to get assigned a P3 branch? Thanks
Can I get some more details on this? Are pilots at P3 branches normally paid at GS14 level? Why would everyone else who had the job be a GS14 and he isn't?
Also, if my goal is to get to a P3 branch, how long can I expect to wait until I can transfer to Corpus Christi or Jacksonville? Is their a certain base, aircraft, or path I should take to be more likely to get assigned a P3 branch? Thanks
#234
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2012
Position: 'Van Driver
Posts: 148

In regards to getting the boot at 57. I am almost 40. From what I have read on the issue, if you haven't got your 20 in when you reach 57, you can stay until 60 at the latest. Is the staying till 60 an automatic thing or does this require approval by a supervisor? Can they deny you your retirement if they feel it is not in their best interest to keep you around?
#235

It is a complex deal with many rules and details. Google FERS 6c and I'm sure OPM has a guide online somewhere.
#236
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2012
Position: 'Van Driver
Posts: 148

You need 20 years LEO (6c) coverage. Under 6c your retirement is calculated at 1.7%/ year x the average of your high 3 years. Any years beyond 20 pay at the normal rate of 1%. You can buy back military time to tack on to retirement, which can add 1% per year of active duty service. The cost of the buy back is 3% of your military earnings.
It is a complex deal with many rules and details. Google FERS 6c and I'm sure OPM has a guide online somewhere.
It is a complex deal with many rules and details. Google FERS 6c and I'm sure OPM has a guide online somewhere.
#237
New Hire
Joined APC: Aug 2014
Posts: 3

I just read an article about CBP recently announcing a switch from the H&K P2000 to the Glock G47. Will new hires at FLETC be qualifying with the P2000 or the G47? Are new hires being issued the new G47? Do AMO pilots carry a service weapon at all times when on duty?
Thanks
Thanks
I'm in the current academy class and we were issued H&K P2000. We are told that we will be getting the Glock G47 after we get to our units and probably within the year.
#238
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jul 2016
Posts: 14

"Oh it’s all starting to make sense now. A person smart enough to transfer into a P3 branch as a GS13 when everyone else who had the job was a GS14. Then you want to claim people at other locals are over paid and you’re underpaid."
Can I get some more details on this? Are pilots at P3 branches normally paid at GS14 level? Why would everyone else who had the job be a GS14 and he isn't?
Also, if my goal is to get to a P3 branch, how long can I expect to wait until I can transfer to Corpus Christi or Jacksonville? Is their a certain base, aircraft, or path I should take to be more likely to get assigned a P3 branch? Thanks
Can I get some more details on this? Are pilots at P3 branches normally paid at GS14 level? Why would everyone else who had the job be a GS14 and he isn't?
Also, if my goal is to get to a P3 branch, how long can I expect to wait until I can transfer to Corpus Christi or Jacksonville? Is their a certain base, aircraft, or path I should take to be more likely to get assigned a P3 branch? Thanks
Historically, P-3 pilots are GS-14s. Recently D.C. decided that all new P-3 pilots would be hired or transferred in as GS-13, and in the future only half would become -14s. I have never seen anything in writing about the promotion to 14, though.
While it is possible, I would not expect to get to a P-3 location. There simply are not very many slots anticipated, even though there will be some retirements over the next three to five years. Headquarters is still courting some of the dwindling Navy P-3 guys but they all go directly to legacy airlines with not so much as a glance toward CBP. If they want the location, GS-14 SSR rate would be O.K. for some but the pay cap is the killer.
Last edited by skylike; 06-08-2019 at 07:00 PM.
#240
P/T Gear Slinger
Joined APC: May 2017
Position: Airbus
Posts: 824

You’re complaining management won’t be in the building? 
At least the SSR counts towards your high three, no? I got twenty years of nights, Sundays and holidays that didn’t count for squat.
AMO recruiters make military recruiters look honest...
Baggy, tan polyester is the shizzz.

AMO recruiters make military recruiters look honest...
Baggy, tan polyester is the shizzz.

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