Airline Pilot Central Forums - CBP Air Interdiction Agent (Pilot)

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Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCFLYR (Post 3147302)

When I looked into it, and others getting out of the military around the same time - 5 years being an agent before being able to even look at aviation IIRC.
i know a current DEA pilot. I’ll pose the question to him and see if I can get a current answer.

Edit:

Response:
“You need to be hired as an agent (GS-1811) first and do two years "street time" then apply for a Pilot slot. "First platform" will likely be a Cessna 206 unless you go to South America or Mexico and fly the King Air.”

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCFLYR;

That’s not really accurate anymore... I spoke with a group supervisor of the DEA air wing and due their pilot shortage the 2 year street requirement is not necessarily a requirement anymore.

if you are have some decent experience (commercial, ME, instrument) you can get into the Air Wing in a much shorter time frame. They need guys who can become PICs quickly, because their experience is retiring.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXNFlyer210 (Post 3147392)

I’m sure hiring practices change with the times. Our standard applicant has certainly changed over my ten years on the job and will change again in the upcoming application windows.

You say get into the Air Wing “In a much shorter time frame”, so you are disagreeing with the 2 year time frame, not that an applicant much spend time as a line agent first?

They are (or were) very short. Current agents with a private have been offered the air wing with the agency paying for CSEL & instrument, with a choice of locations.

Appreciate the info from all above posters regarding the DEA options. I'll be looking into that as I separate from active duty in March of 2021. Here's to hoping the drawn out nature of government hiring, plus the required training for Federal Agents means they are still short.

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCFLYR (Post 3147513)

For guys who have qualifications above and beyond a private (especially if you are type rated or have helo time), your time spent as line agent maybe as short as the time it takes to go through the Air Wing application process.

Make no mistake about if you get on with the DEA, you are a Special Agent first. In addition getting through their hiring process and academy is no joke; however, for guys who are well qualified, the time to being able to apply and get accepted to the Air Wing is much much shorter. Another thing about the DEA Air Wing, their dudes seem to have a high job satisfaction.

At the end of day the Air Wing has had to adjust their hiring practices and some of the old rules may not be applicable anymore.

Got a buddy who works DEA. Did a few years on the street, now flies the 206. Loves his job.

Does anyone have any insights if they have opened FLETC now with the new fiscal year? Also anyone on the hiring pool has received any tentative date?

Couple of people were to have the polygraph.
I wonder how those went.
Any updates from those posters out there?

I am at FLETC now. I have over heard there will be between 4-7 classes next year. I am scheduled to graduate Jan 7 2021. Hope this helps.