CBP Air Interdiction Agent (Pilot)
#391

Hey guys, been lurking but first real post. I got the AIA tentative acceptance (contingent on background stuff, etc) email yesterday. I've got 2500TT with a King Air 350 single pilot PIC type, about 300hrs PIC, 650hrs total in it.
Also about 300PIC in the PC12, and 200 SIC in the G-IV. I just got laid off from my pt 135 G-IV job. I'm 25 years old, year degree, ready to move basically anywhere.
Would AMO place me in the King Air or Pilatus due to my experience on type or would that be irrelevant? Goal is definitely majors eventually, but with regionals stopping hiring this seems like a super interesting opportunity.
Thanks in advance, much appreciated.
Also about 300PIC in the PC12, and 200 SIC in the G-IV. I just got laid off from my pt 135 G-IV job. I'm 25 years old, year degree, ready to move basically anywhere.
Would AMO place me in the King Air or Pilatus due to my experience on type or would that be irrelevant? Goal is definitely majors eventually, but with regionals stopping hiring this seems like a super interesting opportunity.
Thanks in advance, much appreciated.
However, you may find that goal changes. To some degree AMO is choose your own adventure, especially off the SW border. There are cool niche jobs. P-3s are going to be a thing for non-prior P3 pilots. It can also be a gateway to other fed flying jobs - there are many, you could find a few on USAjobs now.

#393
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Posts: 108

APC lists a lot of locations that are eventual possibilities. From what it sounds like this would be years down the road. Are these actual legit places, or is the info old/inaccurate?
If people are able to transfer, is there any kind of preference, or do you wait for someone to retire and try to escape the SW border?
https://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/...ine_operations
If people are able to transfer, is there any kind of preference, or do you wait for someone to retire and try to escape the SW border?
https://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/...ine_operations
#394
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2020
Posts: 29

APC lists a lot of locations that are eventual possibilities. From what it sounds like this would be years down the road. Are these actual legit places, or is the info old/inaccurate?
If people are able to transfer, is there any kind of preference, or do you wait for someone to retire and try to escape the SW border?
https://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/...ine_operations
If people are able to transfer, is there any kind of preference, or do you wait for someone to retire and try to escape the SW border?
https://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/...ine_operations
#395
New Hire
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Posts: 5

I'm considering an AIA spot to finish off my 5 years of service, and I'm really not interested in being away from home right now. What are the UAS jobs like at CBP? I'm really interested in the QoL aspect of it. What are the workdays like? Should I expect to work a lot of holidays/weekends? Are there many TDYs? Is the pay different for UAS pilots? What are the pros/cons of UAS vs FW/RW? I'm a mil FW guy with no drone time, will it be an issue getting a UAS spot? What are the best bases for UASs?
#396
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2011
Posts: 490

I'm considering an AIA spot to finish off my 5 years of service, and I'm really not interested in being away from home right now. What are the UAS jobs like at CBP? I'm really interested in the QoL aspect of it. What are the workdays like? Should I expect to work a lot of holidays/weekends? Are there many TDYs? Is the pay different for UAS pilots? What are the pros/cons of UAS vs FW/RW? I'm a mil FW guy with no drone time, will it be an issue getting a UAS spot? What are the best bases for UASs?
#397
New Hire
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Posts: 5

I have ~14 years AD with another 3 ANG, and about 6 months as a GS employee. I was considering doing at least 4.5 more GS years and buying back my mil time to earn the FERS pension. I'm still in the ANG and plan on getting at least 20 years of mil service.
#398

Does the Guard not have Air Reserve Technician equivalents? aka dual status full timers in the squadron who accrue both good reserve years and get paid GS-12/13 when not in drill status. That would be the ticket for what you're trying to do. Better than to have to commute between a straight civilian GS job and the guard unit.
#399
New Hire
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Posts: 5

Does the Guard not have Air Reserve Technician equivalents? aka dual status full timers in the squadron who accrue both good reserve years and get paid GS-12/13 when not in drill status. That would be the ticket for what you're trying to do. Better than to have to commute between a straight civilian GS job and the guard unit.
#400

Your buy back time doesn’t count towards your 6C retirement. Have to work 20 years as an AIA to get the full %. I’m not sure if it even counts towards your 5 year vested retirement. If so you would get 15% of your high three years. With the buyback and 20 years 6C you'd get 48%.
Remember that 6C coverage earns 1.7% per year. If you leave before 20 you forfeit that .7%/year. Also new FERS hires pay a much higher percentage of their gross into the system (4.4% for people hired after 2013 vs. 0.8%) makes it not a good deal at all to come short term.
In your situation I’d be looking for a non-LEO flying job. Better yet do 6 more active duty and get a full military retirement. Much higher pension and bennies for just 18 more months time.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post