Leaderboard

Stay on top of your recruiter. My package took a long time because it was being sent up incorrect multiple times.

Airline hiring is playing a huge factor on the pilot shortage industry wide, not just CBP. Example: The Air Force has been forced to offer increased bonuses to maintain their pilots: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/04/06/us-military-airline-officials-to-discuss-pilot-shortage.html. Completely agree, a lot of guys do not want this job or available locations. There are also plenty of pilots who do want this job. In the past 2-3 months, I have submitted applications from an airline pilot, S76 corporate pilot, Army WO (who is currently in the academy), and two Navy Officers. I also know of three Army Warrant Officers who are currently-in or getting ready to start training in the Envoy https://www.envoyair.com/pilots/rotor-transition-program/ and TRANS STATE rotor to airline pilot programs https://www.transstates.net/careers/Pages/Rotor-to-Wings.aspx. The pilot shortage has eliminated many of the certificate and flight hour requirements of previous years, pilots are very easily crossing into other sectors (Airlines) of the aviation industry. Read the thread above regarding pay and benefits. There is a substantial difference between an entry level EMS pilot and an Air Interdiction Agent, especially one who bought back their active duty years. I started this thread to present an alternative for pilots who want an option other than airlines, EMS, corporate, etc. Many have replied and a couple have submitted applications. There may be many qualified guys who are not interested, but there are also plenty who are interested.

https://youtu.be/KBlDpfXbZ9A

That case is a wonderful example of why the Supreme Court should not be treated as some sort of "legislature of last resort," because they generally lack technical knowledge and don't have the power to consider testimony by experts (because, theoretically they're an appellate court). In Miller, the Court decided it was OK to ban short-barreled shotguns, because they had no military use, despite the War Department issuing 40,000 of them just two decades prior for trench fighting. People who want gun bans need to start a movement to repeal the Second Amendment, not see it invalidated in court. But that would be horrifically unpopular, so they try to backdoor it through training requirements, "genuine need," lawsuits against gun manufacturers, etc.

This is precisely why there are Constitutional protections -- so that the differing whims of men can't be used to arbitrarily decide these things for the rest of the citizenry.

Untitled.pdf

I disagree. On the long look of human history, violence, war, and untimely death is WAY DOWN. We’re living in a golden age of peace and prosperity.

Some of you are quick to give up rights. Here's the problem: once they're gone, you'll never get it back. The Second Amendment protects our right to bear arms just like the First Amendment protects our right to free speech (Congress shall make no law). It's not a negotiable document. As stated above, we have a violence problem and a mental health problem in this country. Making law abiding citizens into criminals won't solve that. Punishing the millions of law abiding gun owners because of the acts of a few psychopaths won't solve that either. Whether you agree with it or not, the Second Amendment was designed to defend the First Amendment. We are absolutely intended to be as well armed as the military because the founders wanted the government to fear the people and not the other way around. We've already given up enough (NFA, etc). Now is not the time to give up because of one horrific incident. It's a very slippery slope.

It's not ridiculous, because that's how the argument needs to be framed. The world does not have a "gun violence" problem, or a "Ryder truck violence" problem. It has a violence problem. Madmen commit violence. That's where we need to focus our efforts and our arguments. Madmen have used fertilizer, airplanes, fire, gas chambers, trucks, pressure cookers, bombs, guns, knives, hammers, and rope. The chosen method is irrelevant. Guns have taken on this bigger than life persona when they are simply tools. AR-15s are ideally suited for plenty of non-murderous tasks, just like rope is good for a lot more than lynching. If the locomotive of society decides that guns are bad, there's no stopping the degradation of our rights. But we'll simply find that when you peel away the "tool" layer, you're still left with a core of violence. The Brits are learning this now as they move to rearm their police. So as to the better idea, let's start with the family. How can we reinforce the family so it can serve as a training ground for acceptable behavior?

I went from full time to part time military not too long ago and transitioned to full time (non-airlines) work. I decided no airlines (various reasons), and did not want to be a contractor. The idea of wandering around in a polo shirt, khakis and cheap shoes with my badge around my neck, talking to people who don't really give a fvck and having some toolbox O-6 boss me around did not seem fun. I decided to just go for the big jobs and was surprised by how many offers I got. What I found was industry and other agencies were looking for leadership, and they were willing to bid for someone with a military track record. They cared little for technical background. I didn't choose the highest offer (money was important but not the most important) but instead went for location and the the type of industry I had also been interested in. In the end, I might make more money than an airline bubba some day but probably not. I'm home most nights. I travel if/when I want. I got a hefty pay raise. Just like flying, I have a job where most people actually pay to go do it and others are surprised I get paid. Since staring, I've hired a few guys retiring off active duty, so it's not like I fell into a one-off opportunity. My advice - do what you want, don't aim low on the positions, and go for your dream job. Make someone pay you (a lot) to do what you would do for fun.

In regards to the form 215... what do they look for in the bullets? "OPR" type bullets? Or does the board look at my OPRs separately? If so, what should I have in there-stuff about how my leadership and hard work will make me a great pilot? If anyone has an example or two of a good one and would be willing to share I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

Harrumph bitches.

Just from talking to the dudes who got picked up in FY16, I think PPLs and scores were the two biggest deciding factors last year by a long shot. I haven't seen the raw data you're talking about, but I would imagine it backs this up. I was fortunate enough to grab a slot last year, even though I had plenty working against me. I was on an age ETP at about 32 years old and, honestly, outside of picking up DG out of the BUFF FTU, I felt like my bullets were pretty run of the mill for a rated guy. I was #1/3 out of the squadron and #2 out of 35 or so from the wing (I never saw the final strat, just heard the approximate numbers from the exec). Where I shined, I think was that I had a PPL and my test scores. My AFOQT and PCSM scores both took a nose dive after I commissioned so I studied my ass of and retook both. Despite feeling like a douche taking the AFOQT as, you know, someone who already qualified as an officer, I walked out with a 97/98/94/96/82 and a 96 PCSM when all was said and done. I know for a fact there were guys out there with a better set of bullets and equal strats to me, so I'm pretty convinced the scores made a difference. In short, definitely check your AFOQT and PCSM scores if you're thinking of applying (and retake if you can/need to) and go get a PPL if you don't have one. I honestly think those are the two biggest keys to success all things considered. Good luck bros, and if anyone needs help with the age ETP thing or needs anything else just hit me up.