Aviation and Law Enforcement

BCTAv8r said:
Someone above said there are parallels between aviation and LE, I'd be interested to know what that is.
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The way my CP explained it is this: Both pilots and cops typically work long hours, have strange sleep schedules, and eat meals at "off" times. We both have large responsibility, and don't receive much recognition for a job well done (we have to appreciate ourselves for what we do). When things are going well, it's somewhat mundane, yet when things start going wrong, it gets challenging, exciting, scary, etc./all of the above.

Both groups work without their boss right over their shoulder (obviously cops deal with their sergeants more), and try to stay out of the chief's office. Both groups have to try and keep their opinions to themselves (no talking to the media, and watch what you say online), and typically keep circles of friends who are also cops/pilots. Get pilots or cops in a group, and we speak our own language... "There I was on the ILS, shooting it down to 1800 RVR with an 18-knot crosswind, when we lose the glideslope and have to go-around and divert..." or "so I'm 10-97 on the TC, and step out of the squad only to trip and watch in horror as my BUG falls right onto the pavement..."

My boss said being in LE will be more physically demanding, in terms of possible injury, or day-to-day bumps and bruises, but he feels that LE offers a better quality of life, considering you'll have a semi-regular schedule and be home every night. He did say, by far, that LE blows aviation away in terms of benefits and retirement. Even medium-sized municipalities have better benefits that the regionals, and federal/state LEOs have much better retirement and benefits than most major airlines.

The way I see it, it's just a roll of the dice. Aviation could improve, and those of us who don't stick with it will be kicking ourselves that we left the industry. Or, things will continue to deteriorate, and soon we'll all be too old to pursue law enforcement. I have a friend who now is too old to change into a LE career, and an injury from this job prevents him from being a cop even if he was under the maximum age. It's sad, because he wants out.

In the end, whatever I do, I just want to end the day and feel like I've served, and I want to feel good about what I do. Then I want to go home and see my family, and be a big part of my kids growing up.
 
FlyChicaga said:
The way my CP explained it is this: Both pilots and cops typically work long hours, have strange sleep schedules, and eat meals at "off" times. We both have large responsibility, and don't receive much recognition for a job well done (we have to appreciate ourselves for what we do). When things are going well, it's somewhat mundane, yet when things start going wrong, it gets challenging, exciting, scary, etc./all of the above.

Both groups work without their boss right over their shoulder (obviously cops deal with their sergeants more), and try to stay out of the chief's office. Both groups have to try and keep their opinions to themselves (no talking to the media, and watch what you say online), and typically keep circles of friends who are also cops/pilots. Get pilots or cops in a group, and we speak our own language... "There I was on the ILS, shooting it down to 1800 RVR with an 18-knot crosswind, when we lose the glideslope and have to go-around and divert..." or "so I'm 10-97 on the TC, and step out of the squad only to trip and watch in horror as my BUG falls right onto the pavement..."

My boss said being in LE will be more physically demanding, in terms of possible injury, or day-to-day bumps and bruises, but he feels that LE offers a better quality of life, considering you'll have a semi-regular schedule and be home every night. He did say, by far, that LE blows aviation away in terms of benefits and retirement. Even medium-sized municipalities have better benefits that the regionals, and federal/state LEOs have much better retirement and benefits than most major airlines.

The way I see it, it's just a roll of the dice. Aviation could improve, and those of us who don't stick with it will be kicking ourselves that we left the industry. Or, things will continue to deteriorate, and soon we'll all be too old to pursue law enforcement. I have a friend who now is too old to change into a LE career, and an injury from this job prevents him from being a cop even if he was under the maximum age. It's sad, because he wants out.

In the end, whatever I do, I just want to end the day and feel like I've served, and I want to feel good about what I do. Then I want to go home and see my family, and be a big part of my kids growing up.
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Great parallels never thought about it that way. Good luck man!
 
Matt, you're so young you can put in your 25 years as an LEO and go back to flying for another 10 years while collecting on your pension.
 
FlyChicaga said:
I've bookmarked the Phoenix PD as a department I'm looking at applying to when they finally hire. Most departments are using this economic downturn to shed officers, even though they're understaffed. Many "nice" Chicago suburbs feel they don't need as many police, which is unfortunate.

.
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City of Phoenix, like many cities, is facing pretty severe budget shortfalls, so much so that they're going to be laying off members of the PD and FD; though the breakdowns aren't out yet.


http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/...fs-will-learn-their-fates-today-82894367.html
 
FlyChicaga is right. The two do go hand in hand. In aviation you are always training for the worse case scenaro, same in LE. Every car stop, walking stop you want to find the guns and drugs. The benefits are better now a days in LE with a full retirement without putting into it. The only thing that one might not have is medical in retirement.
 
MikeD said:
City of Phoenix, like many cities, is facing pretty severe budget shortfalls, so much so that they're going to be laying off members of the PD and FD; though the breakdowns aren't out yet.


http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/...fs-will-learn-their-fates-today-82894367.html
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Seems that most major municipalities are laying off officers. At least for me, it's keeping me from making a jump now... I still have time to see how things play out in the next few years for professional aviation, and how things may change for the public service sector.
 
PERSONAL OPINION ONLY:

Command staff at PHXPD was a culture shock to me. There are some fantastic people that work there, but I was far more impressed with Scottsdale Police's budget and Glendale PD's people. Matt, I would encourage you to look at some other valley departments before making a decision to go with PPD. Certainly a personal opinion, however.

J.
 
BCTAv8r said:
There are JC-like forums for law enforcement. I like the officer.com boards.
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Under the "Career Specific" category, there are sections for "Air Traffic Control," "Airline Pilots," "Flight Attendant," "Helicopter Pilots," "Military," "Flight Control/Dispatch," etc.

I think there might be some interest in a "Law Enforcement" section.
 
FlyCicaga, that was good post. The only thing I would see different is the LEO spouses have more stress. We lose more officers ever year than we do airliners. It takes a strong spouse to married to a pilot and an even stronger one to be married to LEO.
 
I married a BP agent, we met in the academy. It solved a lot of issues:D... except at the range ,way too much competition going on there. :guns:
But on the other hand... when I want to go a a gun show, she is out the door and in the car and wondering whats taking me so long.:p
 
Was a Glendale Sgt. (Arizona)... Thx. 150..:-) tought times for agencies right now.. Was a great job. Admin is Admin the world over and some are better then others. Much happier flying upside down though.. Send me PM's if you want to know more...
 
BillErvin said:
I married a BP agent, we met in the academy. It solved a lot of issues:D... except at the range ,way too much competition going on there. :guns:
But on the other hand... when I want to go a a gun show, she is out the door and in the car and wondering whats taking me so long.:p
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She's a keeper... So I take it she shoots better...j/k
 
There are more parallels to aviation than I thought. I was reading a thread on a LEO forum about criminal justice degrees and they same the same stuff people on here say about aviation degrees.:)
 
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