Originally Posted by Diverb

Most of our hard to fill locations are along the southern border (except Grand Forks, ND...think -20 everyday in the winter) and Puerto Rico. I will say the agency is getting better on letting guys transfer out after 3-4 years. My buddy in McAllen was offered another location a few weeks ago and he has been in McAwesome for a little over 3yrs.

UAS is its own animal. Its really hard to find "real pilots" who want to operate it. Guys coming in from the military or airlines who have always flown real aircraft typically don't want to operate the pred. Those of us who do operate the pred kinda get stuck only operating the pred. There's guys in my office who have tried to transfer back to another non UAS location after a few years and have been unsuccessful since we cant fill the pred locations. Its kinda a catch 22. Bare in mind 95% of us are all dual rated, and not getting a chance to fly other platforms on a regular basis sucks.

Another bad thing about the UAS is the time counts for NOTHING, even though we operate the predator in the flight levels, file a IFR flight plan and talk with center all day, the flight hours count for nothing in the eyes of the FAA.

Oh well im eligible to retire in 5yrs, so that's my goal. Hopefully after that then I can fly something real on a regular basis

Originally Posted by Diverb

Does nothing for the guys at other locations

Originally Posted by Diverb

...may be the straw that breaks his back too

Originally Posted by Diverb

Have you taken your polygraph yet? Once you pass that, I believe the hiring process is fairly fast. I have spoken with a few new hires in a past few months who stated their total time to get hired was within 6-7 months, which is fast.

Once you take your check ride in OK, City, and you get called, if you want Sierra Vista, all you have to do is ask for it. San Angelo, TX and Grand Forks, ND are also heavy UAS locations

Originally Posted by ROTORGUY

Any fairly new AIA Pilots hired in the last few years recall if they ask you about your flight hours in the polygraph? I’m a FW and RW commercial pilot with around 600hrs mostly in FW singles. There are a few days I’ve forgot to log flights and some days I round up my hours. I’m sure they are close but not 100% accurate. I can fly to commercial standards in both FW and RW. Just want to know if during the hiring process they are going to pick my log book apart. If I only have 100-150hrs in RW and they choose to hire me would they make me a Single engine fixed wing pilot or would I still get to fly RW? I have zero desire to fly a single engine cessna or fly UAS for 20 years. Thanks for any responses.

Originally Posted by ROTORGUY

Any fairly new AIA Pilots hired in the last few years recall if they ask you about your flight hours in the polygraph? I’m a FW and RW commercial pilot with around 600hrs mostly in FW singles. There are a few days I’ve forgot to log flights and some days I round up my hours. I’m sure they are close but not 100% accurate. I can fly to commercial standards in both FW and RW. Just want to know if during the hiring process they are going to pick my log book apart. If I only have 100-150hrs in RW and they choose to hire me would they make me a Single engine fixed wing pilot or would I still get to fly RW? I have zero desire to fly a single engine cessna or fly UAS for 20 years. Thanks for any responses.