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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.