US Customs?

[av8orboy]

Anybody put in for this?

 

[Skypilot]

customs interview

Friend of mine got called for an interview. Was told they would be interviewing about 100 people. Anyone have any idea what to expect in OKC?

 

[trnsprt]

Yeah, From 5 years ago, but I have heard that there hasn't been much change. Of course it will depend on the type of position you applied for also.

Fixed wing expect a C-210 ride, rotowing expect an A-Star and if you are dual rated expect to fly both.

All real straight forward stuff. Log book check, oral, personal interview, flight.

Oral; FAR's/Aim, general Aviation knowledge, just making sure you are who you say you are and that your log book matches your experience.

Personal interview when I went through was a panel of 3. They just want a feel of who you are and why you are interested. Similar to a panel interview for most higher end aviation jobs. Tell us about something dumb you did in an airplane. What is your greatest accomplishment. What questions do you have on and on.

Flight; VFR and IFR procedures, steep turns, stalls, Hood time, climbing and descending S-turns, practice appchs.

I am fixed wing only so I don't know the baseline for rotowing. I would assume you just do what is natural to do for the position you applied for. Throw in autos and hovering.

Oh yeah... don't worry if they don't let you land the 210. It is standard for the instructor to land it as they put a lot of wear and tear on the airframe during interviews a bunch of years back and stopped letting interviewees land the thing.

They aren't looking for a Yeager or a Hoover. So if you make a mistake correct it and fess up. They are down to earth guys at the school house (mostly) and are interested in finding someone who's experience matches what they put on the resume and that they wouldn't mind spending a couple of weeks with during a TDY.

Best of luck

 

[Picsar]

Thanks trnspt for the heads-up.

 

[wishIwasinTX]

No autos or other emergency stuff in the helicopter. (or airplane for that matter) Normal takeoffs & approaches, slope landings, quick stops, pinnacles, confined areas, non-precision approach.

 

[Skypilot]

Thank you

I appreciate all the information. Thanks again for your help.

 

[FranktheTank]

Can anyone give any real insight on what the day to day is like? Senority? QOL? Days off? Hours per week? Night shift? Etc.

 

[trnsprt]

Frank:

What is not addressed in post #9 that you need specific info about? I would be happy to give you the info you need but I thought I about covered it all.

The big thing is that QOL, mission and daily routine vary greatly depending on where you are based.

 

[Picsar]

What is the current leadership like at El Paso, Tucson and El Centro? How about the QOL at these locations? Thanks.

 

[trnsprt]

Well, in Tucson you are looking at 24/7 coverage. Days, nights and swings 5days a week minimum of 8 hours a day rotating into and out of weekends or at least one weekend day off. The QOL is nice... if you like the desert. Homes in the suburbs are affordable for a GS11, Tucson proper is expensive. The mission pace is high and you stay busy, more so during periods of high illegal immigration.

Once trained up you can probably count on flying as much as you wish to insert yourself into the schedule especially if you are an A-Star driver. You can almost always fly more than assigned if you want to.

As far as leadership goes it is unlikely they are going to invite you over for beer and brats on the weekend. They are fair and by the book. People grouse about the leadership just like they do at any job. Mandatory retirement is 57 so if you don't like them they certainly won't be around forever.

Re the other branches you mentioned I don't have any first hand info.

 

[Picsar]

Thanks Trnsprt for the reply. I was recently assigned EL Paso and just wanted to get a little insight about the location and the areas around it. So far everyone I spoke with said it's a great place to live and work. Thanks for reconfirming that.