Quote:
Originally Posted by Diverb
but we can't fill our pilot positions, mainly since the airlines are paying more.
The airlines actually are not paying more (at least during your 1st couple of years). I looked at Customs and Boarder Patrol quite a bit. They are recruiting heavily right now as they are in a pilot shortage as well. Within a couple of years you will be over $100k. Job security is great. Missions can be challenging. There is room for advancement if you are willing to move around. There are a lot of good things going for them.
The downsides though can be a turnoff for many folks.
-As a new hire pilot you can expect to go to the Southern boarder someplace. The upside of this is that the cost of living is really low. If you end up in Texas there is no state income tax.
-You will be at that first station for a couple of years. The example their recruiter gave me is that if your station's minimum manning is 20 pilots, and you are at minimum manning then for a guy to leave they have to get a new one in there. When one does come in, then the most senior guy has the option to leave. If he wants to stay, then it will go to the next most senior.
-They do have openings in air units that are not Southern Boarder, but as that is where they are critically manned, that is where all their new hires go first.
-You also need to have flown 100 hours in the last year. Not a killer, but eliminates a lot of guys who might be otherwise interested.
In my case, I couldn't see taking my family down there for two plus years (the very rough estimate on how long it would take to get senior enough to transfer). I also was not eligible due to retiring as an O-4 (or above) and being over 40. They can wave the age if you retire O-3 and below. Right now they also can't wave the 100 hours in the last year requirement. They are trying to get around this by hiring guys that are not current as air systems operators and then after they get 100 hours transfer them over to being a pilot.
It is a great job so long as you do not mind the Southern Boarder, you are current, and you meet the age/retirement wickets. For us, staying where we are with great schools and a base where I can sit reserve in my living room, but get paid less with less benefits, was more desirable.