U.S. Customs Aviation

[steveg]

I noticed on the job posting that Kansas City was one of the possible bases. Anyone know what they fly there, and how guys like the action? I can't imagine they'd be real busy?

Thanks

 

[2LT]

Notice of Results

Forrest, maybe you can chime in on this-

I just got my Notice of Results back from the DEU (Delegated Examining Unit) regarding the recent vacancy announcement. Thinking that it was all points based, I was surprised to see a Rating Code with the letters "EA" next to the position title. Any idea what this means? Sh*t canned? I'm just a civvy guy without any NVG/FLIR experience, etc. -- wouldn't be surprised. Just curious...

 

[rcbullock]

>1500TT?

Any chance of getting on with less than 1500TT?

Lots of (1600+) 707 airframe Navigator time and 500+ civilian, and of course I'm ex-mil. (Who else uses a Nav any more...)

Will they even look at you if you are working at a flying job and getting close?

 

[2LT]

www.aptap.org

http://forumco.com/aptap/topic.asp?...+Announcement&Forum_Title=APTAP+Message+Board

Cut and paste or click on the above link...if it doesn't work, here's the upshot [quoted]:

"There are no waivers for age or flight time requirements.

You are a very smart man for having your ap ready to go. I got delayed for at least 6-9 months back in '99 when I put my ap in. There was an initial cutoff prior to the closing date and my ap got shelved until they decided to process another batch.

I would assume if they will get plenty of aps, 700 is alot, they will start the process of reviewing them and scoring. If they do it like they did last year they will ask some of us to DC to go through them and do the scores.

If I hear anything I will post it."



Mike Montgomery


This is all off of www.aptap.org Somebody asked a similar question.

Regards,
2lt

 

[satpak77]

Give yourself some credit

Sh*t canned? I'm just a civvy guy without any NVG/FLIR experience, etc. -- wouldn't be surprised. Just curious...

This is what us "civilian" guys tend to do sometimes. We short-change ourselves before the show even starts. Why do we do this? Usually it goes like this:

"I see that (Insert XXXX Company) is hiring. I heard that (Insert below phrase), I wonder if I will have a chance" Pick any below phrase, all have been heard at the FBO/pilot lounge/hotel bar.

- Lots of "heavy" airline guys have apps in

- Gotta have 3 captains personally walk app in

- Its a "military place", lots of KC-135 and KC-10 guys with lots of time get hired

- Lots of Navy apps

- Lots of Air Force apps

- Lots of civilian apps

- etc etc ad nauseum


Why would a 4000 hour Metro Captain NOT be qualified? You are likely flying night freight, single pilot, correct? Who flies Metro PAX anymore? So you are a 4000 hour Part 135 or 121 turboprop Captain who flies at night, single pilot, IFR, with no AP (probably)? You are likley a little more qualifed than some applicants, a little less than others, but dont just sell yourself short.

You READ the announcement. Forget the NVG/Low Level/Phd/5000 hours C-5 time/Top Gun grad/former Blue Angels/Shuttle astronaurt/etc stuff.

Lots of Customs guys are former Eagle and also quite a few with 1520 hours TT and 501 hours multi, who were city police officers full time and over 10 year period flew part time at the FBO and/or instructed and made it to Customs. I know because I personally know some Customs pilots.

With Customs or the majors, don't short change yourself. Too many hungry guys want you to do that.

Apply, give YOURSELF a chance. Customs/FDX/SWA/porn movie industry cannot give you a chance until you give YOURSELF a chance first.

You might be surprised what can happen when you do that.


enough Dr. Phil, good luck

 

[steveg]

I remember in the announcement something about an early consideration if the app. was received before Jan 2nd or so. Maybe EA stands for Early App? I don't have my results back yet, but will chime in when I do.

 

[ChichiAV8B]

EA

"Eligibible Applicant"

 

[2LT]

ChiChi -
Yeah, seems that's what it means. Posted the same question on aptap.org and got the same response. Thanks for the input...

Regards,
2lt

 

[Forrest]

2LT,
Refering to the NVG/FLIR... I guess it would be great if you had that time, but it is just gear any monkey or pilot can learn to use. Almost all the prior military helo guys have the NVG time, but no one else. We definetly have a mixed bag of military and non-military. The application just gets you the interview. You have to sell yourself at the interview. No app, no interview. Be sure you fill out the application to the best of your ability. The folks that screen them in D.C. are not the sharpest tools in the shed. They will not call you if something is wrong, they will just go to the next app (at least that is what I was told). Customs is opening up 3 new units (D.C., upstate WA, and upstate NY), and the first Customs pilots are beginig to retire. Should be lots of hiring.

 

[USC***]

I received today the NOTICE OF RESULTS regarding the application I sent in. It says EA which I read above means eligible applicant. Does this mean my application was complete and correct? I was alittle nervous, when I mailed it in, because when I printed out some of the application parts, it didn't quite look right. I typed the app on the computer, but I think my software varied slightly from what it intended to be printed with. I did the best I could and double checked it numerous times.

What concerned me was on the top of the letter it says,"INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE RATED INELIGIBLE." So with the EA rating, am I in the clear?

 

[Forrest]

Sounds good to me. I remember having the same frustrations filling out the app. I just did the best I could and the interview letter came a few months later. I applied in Sep 01, the notice closed in Dec 01, got the call for an interview in late March 02, interviewed in April 02, got hired in May 02, got a class date in Oct 02, and started in March 03. It is a long process.

 

[AceCrackshot]

Hopefully, third time is a charm for me. It's a wierd hiring process, somewhat hit or miss from what I see. I know some really qualified applicants (speak spanish, good flight time, lunar landings) that don't get the call. It's a popular job through, with the announcement closing at 700 applications, you can guess what the historical numbers have been. I guess there is no lack of pilots who like steady employment, cool beer, nice airplanes and government isssued firearms. Customs had good taste when they settled on the AUG for a rifle.

Hey Forrest, where do the VR/C-9B guys do sim training?

 

[uscpilot]

Dangerous??

Hey Forrest (or any other customs guys willing to respond),
I am having a lot of trouble selling this to my wife. I think I played up the lawenforcement end too much. You know what I mean carrying a side arm, and getting close to suspicious a/c to read the tail # (this is what I was told and dont know to be true). Have any pilots ever fallen in the line of duty?
Is there any way a can truthfully play down the dangerous aspect of the job? This is unfortunate since that is partly what appeals to me. I did try to bring up the pay, time off, benifits and so forth, but to no avail.
Any help is appreciated, thanks again
usc

 

[steveg]

Hi,

Just a question for those that got their letter. I just received mine and also got the EA code. However, it gave me an EA code for both Airplane and Aircraft pilot. I have never even been in a Helo, let alone rated in one. Did everyone receive 2 EA codes at the bottom, or is something funny on mine? I only applied for the Airplane announcement (so I thought).

Thanks and good luck to all

 

[2LT]

Steve -
I only applied for the airplane pilot vacancy as well - received EA for both airplane/aircraft announcements. I'll bet this is the norm.

Regards,
2lt

 

[steveg]

Thanks

 

[ChichiAV8B]

DANGEROUS!

USC PILOT.

Tell your wife that flying an airliner is no different. You got an entire population trying to blow your airplane in the sky everyday. You are the target.

Also, flying light civilian airplanes statistically kills more people every year than any Customs outfit. BTW, if you happen to go in the line of duty, she might become a millionaire.

Seriously, what might appear to be dangerous flying to her will not be that when you get and she understands the trainining and how you learn all the risk measures that are in place. Not talking for customs, but for military tactical flying. Flying at 300 ft at night at 450 knts and on the goggles might sound crazy to you and me, but its do-able and surprisingly enough, most of tacair accidents don't happen on that environment. I think customs last airplance related accident happen a few years ago in Puerto Rico. Mid-air collision (dont have the details).

At my present unit, we had one of those and we lost 7 guys at once. Jut the way this business is.

 

[satpak77]

I believe the PR accident was during an attept to get aircraft out while a Hurricane was approaching

It was a while ago, I think early 90's, but I think a 404 or Cheyenne was one of the planes.

Also I ** believe ** during the same time frame, early 90's, a night accident occurred (no fatalities) where a 210 descending into MIA/FLL area, coming across the water, hit the ocean.

anyway, bottom line, flying in general can be dangerous and due to the mission parameters and environment, law enforcement/interdiction flying/etc can be pretty **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** dangerous also

thats why they pay that big 13 pay

 

[Clandestine]

Any chance of a fixed wing driver later being trained to helicopters?

 

[tbag]

The way the PR accident story goes was that there was a midair while evacuating for a hurricane. Basically two Nomads were flying formation and the crews got distracted doing something else. One flew over the other and clipped the rudder, bending it. That crew didn't feel they had the controlability to land on a runway so went for the water near an island off the coast. The pilot who passed away was stuck in his seat underwater and they couldn't free him. It's an interesting stroy but since I wasn't there these are the basics.

As far as being hazzardous, it's not nearly as risky as the military. Good equipment and smart tactics go a long way. The first rule of law enforcement is to go home every night. Arresting someone can wait if you don't think it's safe.

Learning the equipment FLIR/Radar/etc., is all pretty easy. This isn't a place where you'll be expected to explain some trivial facts to pass a checkride. Just learn to use the toys and fly the aircraft and you'll be fine.

Anyway it's fun and if you come with a positive attitude you'll have a blast.

Good luck to all looking to join