Common applicant misconceptions


One misconception that St. Dennis hears from applicants is that the hiring process takes forever. Thanks to the relatively new Applicant Care Team, “There’s always going to be somebody out there to help you,” St. Dennis assured. AMO also has a Fast-Track Program for applicants who meet certain criteria such as no previous drug use, no felonies, and no travel outside of the U.S. (which saves time on background investigations).


“Sometimes (applicants) think they’ll be stuck in one location or forced to move to a location,” St. Dennis added, and that’s another misconception. Newly hired dual- rated and helicopter pilots start in Yuma,


Ariz., or in Texas at El Paso or Laredo. Those with only fixed-wing experience generally start out in the UAS program in Sierra Vista or San Angelo.


After just 90 days on the job, pilots can use internal announcements to apply to another branch. Areas with the most pilots include Miami and San Diego. Smaller units along the northern border include Spokane, Wash., Great Falls, Mont., Buffalo, N.Y., and Old Town, Maine. Probably the most-requested location is Puerto Rico, especially since it offers a 25-percent bonus. The greatest area of need is the Southwest border, where AMO conducts about half of its 95,000 annual


flight hours, St. Dennis said. Temporary duty travel is common to locations from St. Croix to interior metropolitan cities. Pilots often stay at their first branch three to five years, he said.


The work schedule varies greatly depending on the location. Some branches such as Tucson run 24/7, while other smaller branches operate eight hours a day for five days a week, depending on the need. Agents at smaller remote units, such as Alpine, Texas, with 10 pilots, naturally tend to experience a tighter-knit community, St. Dennis added.


An Air and Marine Operations UH-60 crew prepares for night operations. Photo: Ozzy Trevino, U.S. Customs and Border Protection


46 May/June 2020


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