DEA Flight Department???

[dueguard1]

Does anyone know if the DEA maintains a fixed wind Flight Department, and where are they located? I'm intersted in flying for them or any Federal Law Enforcement agency...............What airport in the D.C. area has a lot of corporate tenants,.........I'm considering taking a road trip with a stack of Resumes and the suit to just shake a few hands and see if I could get an interview.....................Thanks ah Bunch!

 

[moving2vegas]

ALL gov flying jobs (2181 series) require 1500 TT. Competitive times are 3-4 times that number and the dual rated guys get hired first. DEA, customs, boarder patrol are some of the most competitive flying jobs to get.


As far as walking in with a resume, that's not how the gov process works. You wait for the agency to fly a position and apply like everybody else. Most gov law enforcement air ops run out of active military bases, even if you could get on base to drop a resume (which you can't) they can not accept a resume directly from you. It must go through the proper channels ...ie the application process.

 

[sydeseet]

Of the few people I have encountered in those positions all of them came from another department of the corresponding agency. This is not to say that no outsiders are hired but the competition is fierce. I know a retired FBI pilot who spent 20+ years as an agent before he switched to the aviation side. I also know a soon to retire DEA pilot who spent time in the military and as a DEA agent before he started flying.

If you want it go after it but be prepared for a good fight.

 

[soarby007]

These DEA and FBI are not 2181 positions. They are 1811, which means that you are required to be a Special Agent first, pilot second. DEA requires that you spend a minimum on the street investigation drug cases before you are considered. Their main base was in Dallas, not sure now. FBI requires that you be an agent first, pilot second. They have recently revised the policy of having a pilot in every field office to only the biggest. Most of the FBI flying is in C-182's, unless you graduate to the more elite detail in DC, tough. No extra pay for FBI pilots, extra 25%for DEA.

Customs pilots are also Special Agents, but only fly. They recently completed their hiring off the advertisement from Jan '04. Not easy to get on either. All of these required a college degree and enter on duty before age 37. With the FBI if you are a white male with a bachelor's degree, forget it. Won't hire you without a master's and a lot of pizazz.

Customs, DEA and FBI all fly single engine planes, with all of them having exceptions for jets and helicopters. I mean they have them, but not easy to get there.

Good luck

 

[earl]

Most law enforcement flying requires the mentality of law enforcement officer first then pilot second. That is not to say be sloppy or unprofessional in your flying duties but understand the aviation side of a department is an add on. Aviation assets in a law enforcement agency are there to assist the officers on the ground in their duties. If you go to an agency just to fly you will be extremely disappointed.

earl