starvingcfi
CpApAwM
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2001
- Posts
- 662
didn't wanna put this on the other customs thread...figured some might miss the info.
i called the customs air unit in MIA tonight to talk to a recruiter. the recruiter was out flying, but a duty officer helped me out a little.
as far as customs pay, they start you out at GS-11 (around $42-43K). after a year, you recieve that plus 25% (of your GS-11) law enforcement pay. didn't really understand that one. not sure how much later, but you move up to GS-12, then GS-13. said they're pushing for GS-14. not 100% on all of this, but at least it's something.
no travel benefits for customs pilots, which kinda makes sense. however, i was hoping they might have some deals with some airlines.
equipment in MIA consists of citations and c-12's for fixed wing. A-stars and blackhawks for rotorcraft. he said JAX has 206 or 210's and some cheyennes.
as far as training goes, the guy said he just finished training and it took about 16 weeks. mostly legal stuff (bookwork) and special agent type training. very cool. after training, you are a law enforcement officer. badge and gun. the whole works. also very cool.
as far as the p-3 positions, didn't seem very promising for civilian. i think the customs website says you can be eligible for p-3 as a civilian if you have a type for a L-188. he didn't seem to really think so. he said p-3 pilots have to have NATOPS training. not sure what that is.
also, the guy i talked to was ex-military. however, the 3 guys in the room with him were all civilian. said he thought customs was going more civilian than military...unlike the past. also, his wait to get in was around 2 years. he said the wait would be at least a year. pretty long wait, but i think it's worth it.
that's about all i've got for now. i've got some websites he gave me for gov't pay scale (GS-11 etc), customs training, retirement and such. i'll post those tomorrow when i get home.
sounds like a great place to be if law enforcement is what you want to do. i'm considering giving up my goal (UPS) and going customs. like i said before, i'm not 100% on any of this. just what i remember from my conversation. i've got it all written down at home. if anyone has anything to add/correct, please do. hope this helps someone out. there doesn't seem to be that much info out there about law enforcement aviation.
starvingcfi
i called the customs air unit in MIA tonight to talk to a recruiter. the recruiter was out flying, but a duty officer helped me out a little.
as far as customs pay, they start you out at GS-11 (around $42-43K). after a year, you recieve that plus 25% (of your GS-11) law enforcement pay. didn't really understand that one. not sure how much later, but you move up to GS-12, then GS-13. said they're pushing for GS-14. not 100% on all of this, but at least it's something.
no travel benefits for customs pilots, which kinda makes sense. however, i was hoping they might have some deals with some airlines.
equipment in MIA consists of citations and c-12's for fixed wing. A-stars and blackhawks for rotorcraft. he said JAX has 206 or 210's and some cheyennes.
as far as training goes, the guy said he just finished training and it took about 16 weeks. mostly legal stuff (bookwork) and special agent type training. very cool. after training, you are a law enforcement officer. badge and gun. the whole works. also very cool.
as far as the p-3 positions, didn't seem very promising for civilian. i think the customs website says you can be eligible for p-3 as a civilian if you have a type for a L-188. he didn't seem to really think so. he said p-3 pilots have to have NATOPS training. not sure what that is.
also, the guy i talked to was ex-military. however, the 3 guys in the room with him were all civilian. said he thought customs was going more civilian than military...unlike the past. also, his wait to get in was around 2 years. he said the wait would be at least a year. pretty long wait, but i think it's worth it.
that's about all i've got for now. i've got some websites he gave me for gov't pay scale (GS-11 etc), customs training, retirement and such. i'll post those tomorrow when i get home.
sounds like a great place to be if law enforcement is what you want to do. i'm considering giving up my goal (UPS) and going customs. like i said before, i'm not 100% on any of this. just what i remember from my conversation. i've got it all written down at home. if anyone has anything to add/correct, please do. hope this helps someone out. there doesn't seem to be that much info out there about law enforcement aviation.
starvingcfi
