One does not need to be retired military. As long as you are a veteran, the age restriction is lifted and you are able to work for 20 years as 6c (law enforcement). We have one in my office who will be in his 70s at retirement. We do not even have annual PT requirements as we did many years ago.

AIA Question
 

I am a commercial single and multi with a King Air 300 SIC Type Rating and CFI/CFII and soon to be AMEI with a total of close to a 1000 hours and counting. I just applied for to be an AIA. All of my time is on fixed wing. Reading the threads here it sounds that the only platform available for me is a C206/210. Besides PR, where are the Kings Airs (250, 300, and 350), Citations, Pilatus that the website advertises located? What are the chances of me flying one those platforms after the academy? Will the agency pay for me to get a rotary wing add-on? And if so, how likely is that? Any insight into these is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Your life will be working nights flying the Predator B in San Angelo, Sierra Vista or Grand forks.

Go 121!

Are the only options for new hires Dash-8, Cessna 206/210, or RPA?

Appreciate the response. I do think they could really improve recruiting if some of those southern border locations had the option of flying the King Air or a PC-12 or something similar. I realize it’s not quite that simple as just moving airplanes around, especially with national security concerns and mission related reasons. But it just seems in the current aviation market (and foreseeable future) it’s going to be hard to convince someone with 1500+ hours to come fly a Cessna 206/210 or RPA.

I’ll continue to keep my eye on CBP though and see how things look in the next couple of years. As current military (non-flying), the idea of getting the opportunity to fly for an actual mission is very enticing. But it’s hard to justify a southern border location AND flying a piston single, even if the pay and benefits are pretty good.

Maybe CBP recruiting will see this thread!

Kaputt,

The problems with CBP are not the folks that frequent this website nor the designated Air & Marine recruiters. The problems are farther up the food chain. Basically, no one has any power to CHANGE or FIX anything but a SES. No GS15 or lower can fix the damage that has been done over the years to the program.

HQ and their minions run the show. The rest unfortunately are cannon fodder. What was once a respected pilot program is no longer. You are just labor. Think Army Aviation run by the Border Patrol. This is exactly what happens when non pilots or pilot trainees are put in charge of professional pilots period.

Do you and your buddies a favor and look elsewhere. The 121 world is a better place to be. I'm quite content where I am but call it the way I see it. 7 and change to go!

Wow that definitely does not look like anything they advertised. Does anyone know what kind of assets are at McCallen, TX?

So what is a professional pilot?

Someone who flies for a living, and understands what all that entails.

The military for example almost always promotes tactical operators to be the leaders of their specialty corps, to avoid the problem of managers who don't understand what it is they are managing.

All,

Words from the AC. All who meet the min quals WILL receive a tentative offer. Whether or not you pass the poly, background, fletc and come out the other end is obviously on you. Good luck to those pursuing.

Cheers