CBP Air Interdiction Agent (Pilot)
10-19-2020, 04:51 PM
#701
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by USMCFLYR
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.
i know a current DEA pilot. I’ll pose the question to him and see if I can get a current answer.
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.”
10-19-2020, 07:09 PM
#702
On Reserve
Joined APC: Oct 2018
Posts: 19
Originally Posted by USMCFLYR;
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.”
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.”
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.
10-20-2020, 06:20 AM
#703
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by TXNFlyer210
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.
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.
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?
10-20-2020, 11:57 AM
#705
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2011
Posts: 515
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.
10-21-2020, 05:57 AM
#706
On Reserve
Joined APC: Oct 2018
Posts: 19
Originally Posted by USMCFLYR
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?
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?
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.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
