CBP officer

[Fdriver]

Well life in Van Buren is pretty much NoN Existent, honestly speaking. It's a small town. The closest town to live would be either Caribou or Presque Isle and quite frankly there isn't much there either. Hey we got a Walmart kind of town lol. As far as OFO here there isn't much going on either. I'm not to sure about Jackman or Calais. I'm pretty sure Jackman is in the middle if nowhere as well. Calais is on the coast so I'd say that would probably be your best choice as far as Maine goes. I'm not sure where Coburn Gore is? Winters here suck but if your from Boston you know how that is. Although im sure it's a bit worse here. It's expensive as hell here as well, as far heating your house and what not goes anyway. Taxes are really high here also. I'm sure being from Boston you're familiar with most of the downsides here. I hate to be a Debbie downer here but I can't think of many upsides. I guess it just depends on what you want in life. But Calais would be my choice for what you have listed. At least there you are close to Bar Harbor and it's pretty down there. Your also a little closer to civilization. Bangor is the closest big town from Van Buren or really from anywhere northern Maine wise anyway and the population there is only in the 30-40 thousands I believe. Bangor is 3 hours from the Caribou area. Let me know if you want anymore specifics. Again sorry I am just not a big fan of this place but that doesn't mean you won't be.

Thanks, that's kind of what I expected. Are these places like a death sentence, or are there opportunities elsewhere maybe 5-10 years down the road or whatever? I'll be 36 this summer, so this is really my last chance. I guess if I make it through the rest of the process, I'll make the best of what it is.

[joshk24]

your time line looks almost identical to mine... I received a call about3 weeks ago about a medical hearing retest; then they called back and said i was good.. there has been nothing since. Today I called e-QIP and inquired about my BI packet. They said I need my medical cleared first? The medical contact hasnt returned my calls this could take a while Im finding out Medical and PFT1 were done back in March?

I did my medical back in March, it's been over 4 months and still not checked off yet. You can't get your eqip until medical is checked.

[PHSeaBee]

yep.. that's what they told me today. And the Medical people don't answer the phone ya have to leave contact info and message??

I did my medical back in March, it's been over 4 months and still not checked off yet. You can't get your eqip until medical is checked.

[merlin436]

Thanks, that's kind of what I expected. Are these places like a death sentence, or are there opportunities elsewhere maybe 5-10 years down the road or whatever? I'll be 36 this summer, so this is really my last chance. I guess if I make it through the rest of the process, I'll make the best of what it is.

If you're flexible, willing to embrace a wide range of options and a realist, you can make a move from any port within CBP...given enough time. Especially if you're willing to promote.

Those people with the biggest problems are usually the people expecting to go from port "A" to port "V". Often, there's little practical hope if your reassignment expectation is one or a handful of select ports.

[cur679]

Moten, check your PM one last time! After that, I'm submitting my equip!

THANKS!

[NYJRM10]

When did you do your medical?

1/8/2014. Ridiculous time frame.

[Ocsk8er03]

Thanks, that's kind of what I expected. Are these places like a death sentence, or are there opportunities elsewhere maybe 5-10 years down the road or whatever? I'll be 36 this summer, so this is really my last chance. I guess if I make it through the rest of the process, I'll make the best of what it is.

If you are already 36 then yes, definitely take the job regardless if where it is. There are always opportunities once you put your time in. Just going to be a little harder from up here. OFO has the SWAP program which is great but it's going to be hard to find someone who wants to switch with you to come up here. But it being a death sentence all really depends I guess what you want in life or what you were doing before and what not. Just come with a positive attitude and make the best if it. And work like hell to get to where you want to be. Sometimes guys get lucky with the swaps. Also OFO puts out reassignment opportunities on occasion. Either way good luck to you man. Oh and I'm not sure how far along you are but you can put in for the new announcement if you have a passing score and want to change your geographical preference.

[Ocsk8er03]

I wouldn't read much into what port is "available" beyond face value and the present.

A port is available at the time of the offering or it isn't...what an hour or a day or a week or a month into the future brings is likely a largely new list of offerings.

However, you'll likely want either Highgate, Champlain or A-Bay if your social life is a priority. Burlington, VT is decent-sized by NNE standards. Watertown and especially Plattsburgh are a bit smaller, but bigger than the alternatives.

This is absolutely true. Hiring demands change from month to month. However, with that being said, from what I have heard Buffalo picked up like 80 Border Patrol Agents on lateral. Most of them were from Ajo Arizona. So in betting Buffalo is gonna be a PITA to get. Sorry I feel like I am only giving bad news on this forum but being in the agency already and having been to Glynco recently, I have heard a lot of things that not many have.

[cur679]

Well, Plattsburg and Alex Bay doesn't look bad. Alex Bay looks to be upscaled with castles everywhere, lol.

[joshk24]

1/8/2014. Ridiculous time frame.

Damn, I hope I don't have to wait 2 more months.

[cur679]

So just to be clear, I can definately save my equip packet onto my computer, correct? I can't print it since I don't have a printer and can't afford to go anywhere to print it. My relative isn't computer-savy, and she may get confused as to why she can't log into equip.

I want to save the sf86 onto a thumb drive, which would be easier for the both of us.


Thanks

[PHSeaBee]

email it to yourself...

So just to be clear, I can definately save my equip packet onto my computer, correct? I can't print it since I don't have a printer and can't afford to go anywhere to print it. My relative isn't computer-savy, and she may get confused as to why she can't log into equip.

I want to save the sf86 onto a thumb drive, which would be easier for the both of us.


Thanks

[Fdriver]

If you are already 36 then yes, definitely take the job regardless if where it is. There are always opportunities once you put your time in. Just going to be a little harder from up here. OFO has the SWAP program which is great but it's going to be hard to find someone who wants to switch with you to come up here. But it being a death sentence all really depends I guess what you want in life or what you were doing before and what not. Just come with a positive attitude and make the best if it. And work like hell to get to where you want to be. Sometimes guys get lucky with the swaps. Also OFO puts out reassignment opportunities on occasion. Either way good luck to you man. Oh and I'm not sure how far along you are but you can put in for the new announcement if you have a passing score and want to change your geographical preference.

Thanks. All I can hope for now is an offer anywhere, then I'll worry about different locations offered (if there is a choice). If that day comes, I'll probably have more questions for you (at this time I'd probably lean towards Calais or Houlton, would be nice to hear from people with knowledge of their management, working conditions, etc.). As of now I'm dealing with the NOPA process which is a little discouraging, but I'm still hopeful.

[cur679]

Fdriver, stay positive. Your time will come!

[Ocsk8er03]

Thanks. All I can hope for now is an offer anywhere, then I'll worry about different locations offered (if there is a choice). If that day comes, I'll probably have more questions for you (at this time I'd probably lean towards Calais or Houlton, would be nice to hear from people with knowledge of their management, working conditions, etc.). As of now I'm dealing with the NOPA process which is a little discouraging, but I'm still hopeful.

Feel free to ask anything whenever. I'm not gonna say specific ports or stations on anything but i can tell you that things are bad in this area for BP and OFO. My station is pretty good. I hate the area but the station is very chill and everyone including supervisors are very easy to work and get along with. And you would think being small sports and stations most areas would be like that. But no. Again I'm not gonna mention specifics here but stations and ports in this area have gotten pretty bad. Mostly BP stations that I know of but I've heard bad things about the ports as well. When the time comes your welcome to contact me personally. Some things are just better left off of the net if you know what I mean.