U.S. Customs Aviation

[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

 

[Spartus]

Thanks

I've put my app in too and just wanted to say thanks to forrest and all those that put up all the good info.

One quick question where can I find information on the training process so in the event I'm offered a position a year down the road i'm prepared for the training, i.e. book work and physical training.

thanks guys

 

[steveg]

Go to www.FLETC.gov

Thats the school in GA, I believe it's 19 weeks. Anyone know if we will be told our points? Or do they just call/not call for interview.

Thanks and Good luck to all

 

[Forrest]

Sorry for the delayed replys, been out of town. The Navy uses Flight Safety in St Louis for C-9s, and Customs uses Flight Safety for the C-T210, C-12, and C-550. As far as the training it is a 19 now 21 week training course/police academy in GA. FLETC (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center). It is nothing like boot camp, but you do wear somewhat of a uniform and go to class all day. Most of it is pretty cool, but South GA gets old after a while. Lots of shooting guns and studying the 4,5, and 6th amendment. As far as carrying a gun on and off the job. Well you have to wear it with your uniform, but there is a 50-50 split of folks that carry off duty. Most of the former cops do and the rest of us...well I guess the best answer is you can pack heat when ever you want to. Hey it helps when flying Southwest for the early bording.

 

[satpak77]

bring a car to FLETC

if thats one thing you remember to do, bring a car

 

[Spartus]

Does anyone know where we can find info on the interview process. In the event I get and interview I'd like to be as prepared as possible. Thanks

 

[IP076]

Quick Question...

What's the physical fitness part of the training like? Pretty intense or no? I'd imagine its not Navy SEAL style, but there has to be something right?

 

[donger]

deleted

 

[IP076]

OK, so, a little confused here...

On the USA Jobs site under 2181, is that the application packet they want or should I Look somewhere else?

Thanks in Advance

 

[Forrest]

Yes the job series is 2181
http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/jo...v&tm=30d&FedEmp=N&vw=d&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y
You have to supply all the info requested.
As far as locations the Non-P3s are in: San Diego, El Paso, Houston, San Antonio, Tuscon, Riverside, Phoenix, San Angelo, Albuquerque, New Orleans, Pensacola, Kansas City, Jacksonville FL, Miami, Ronkonkoma NY, Puerto Rico, Belingham WA, Sacremento CA.

 

[USC***]

Other than the letter saying they got your application package, has anyone heard from US Customs who applied? I know it's a long process, I was just curious.

 

[AceCrackshot]

As I stated eariler, standby to wait. Actually, I must say that dealing with the DEU up in Ft. Snelling has been very nice. Very responsive and friendly. I figure on hearing about a potential interview end of FEB/beginning of MAR.

Does anyone know about the rumor of BICE getting the mighty, mighty Dash? Will they go to the dome units or will the interdiction guys get them?

 

[calfo]

I flew for customs for ten years 1988 - 1998. I quit as soon as the opportunity presented itself - the same as about a third of the rest of the pilots did in the late 90's.

From what I hear from the guys that are still there, is that they still spend a lot of time away from home TDY. That's what made most of us quit years ago. We were being sent to Mexico, Panama and South America for up to four months a year - for thirty days at a time. Now, I hear, the foreign stuff has slowed, but domestic TDY is heavy. Plan for a lot of time at the DC air branch at DCA. You can hear them on ATC using call sign "Omaha". I guess they chase Cessna's, etc. out of P-56...

The pay was okay, but the overtime rules are inane and stupid - that is to say they are governmental.

As I recall, I flew about 200 hours, or so, per year... the rest of the time is spent doing busywork - collateral duties, standing by as part of the Blackhawk crew in nomex, putting up with the fitness program, etc..

There were a number of accidents - mostly caused by ineptness. A branch chief ran a Cessna 210 out of gas over the gulf - they fished him out after a swim. A Blackhawk hit the ocean off of Puerto Rico and a friend of mine never got out (George Saenz) - that was in the early 90's. Another in Tucson (where I was) a guy was racing the Citation for the runway at Davis-Monthan in a customs Cessna 404 with the throttles idled and the mixtures full rich - he fouled the plugs so badly that he ran out of airspeed, altitude and ideas on a quarter-mile final and wiped the airplane out.

If anybody would like answers to anything about customs, I'd be happy to answer.

--Phil Sasak ([email protected])

 

[2LT]

ICE Scores

Just answered the knock at the door -- got my score. I'll put myself out there: 91 for Airplane Pilot GS-11, and an IQ Rating for Aircraft Pilot w/ the explanation that I'm not qualified for such since I'm not licensed in choppers. This score was w/out a mil preference -- all civilian fixed wing. I also received a letter stating that I'm to notify them of my ability to RFD by 17Feb05. Inability to do so is declining further consideration. Well, who else got scores?

 

[Spartus]

93 all civ fixed wing no military. Does anyone know if its out of 100?

 

[2LT]

Yep, out of 100. 70 points if you're basically qualified -- the additional 30 come from the 'quality ranking factors.'

 

[AceCrackshot]

95 All civ fixed wing, no military flight time

 

[steveg]

94 same other stuff

Good luck to everyone!

 

[ChichiAV8B]

Two guys from my squadron got their scores today. One got 101 and the other 102. The highest I've seen. I wonder what the cutting score will be.

 

[Hornetkid]

Got mine also

Got my Points,

Same as LT about the IQ for rotor wing stuff and the reply card.

102 points fixed wing.

Military and some civilian

Kid

 

[USC***]

Any idea when interviews may be and what the interviews are like.

What type of plane do you fly for the interview and what maneuvers do we need to do. Also what type of questions are asked? Are there systems, FAR's, or just 'get to know you' type questions?