Oscar
Charleston, SC
Male, 31
Spent a bit over four years (2006-2010) serving as a Border Patrol Agent in Tucson Sector, AZ: the busiest sector in the country. Worked numerous positions, and spent the last year and a half operating/instructing ground radar installations. Duties included: field patrols, transport, processing, control room duties, transportation check, checkpoint operations, static watch duties, etc.
That is something which is handled by ICE or DEA. The BP operates some Disrupt teams who work with local LEO's on special tasks like that. It is not under the jurisdiction or a normal BP office though and is handled at Sector level.
Share Answer: 
No, I do not believe there is a limit on the number of times you can take the exam.
Share Answer: 
I'm not sure. This is something you'll have to contact Customs directly, or an agent who has worked POE's. We did not have one in our station's area of responsibility so I never worked in one.
Share Answer: 
This depended on the task, but everyday uniform wear included: Uniform trousers and shirt, soft body armor, duty belt with radio, handcuffs, collapsible steel baton, flashlight, leatherman, pistol, pistol magazines, keepers and occasionally a spare pouch for a gps, and sometimes a medical pouch. In your pockets you'd bring a knife or two, handheld gps, notepads, pens, batteries for all of your stuff. You'd always bring a pair or two of gloves for searching stuff, boots. When out on foot for any length of time you'd take a camelbak with water, some food, etc. If needed a shotgun or M4 carbine was available. You'd end up toting around perhaps 25 lbs. of junk. Not much, but enough that you'd feel it when you took it off at the end of the day.
Share Answer: 
TV Meteorologist
What were your worst on-screen bloopers?
Bodybuilder
What kind of “primping” is required for competitions?
Meter Maid
Is it tough to have a job that consists exclusively of ruining peoples' days?
It's a complete mixed bag. The job is a lot of hours, a lot of hard work, and can be very depressing when your own country doesn't really care. Some guys love the job. Other guys put up with it. I personally quit because I ended up hating the agency. So, it depends on the person and what you consider important/valuable.
Share Answer: 
Again, I can't help you - but only because our checkpoints were all temporary. We did not have any large scale traffic checkpoints (like in Las Cruces) in our area. If they look like radar equipment they could be ground radar systems based around the checkpoints which scan for areas out to each side - detecting people or traffic which is trying to cut around the checkpoint.
Some checkpoints have tractor trailer scanning equipment, which essentially X-Rays the contents of large trailer boxes. I'm not sure. No real experience at a "proper" checkpoint. Talk about a job I'd never want though...I'm really glad we only had a small temporary checkpoint, sometimes.
There are some guys who spend most of their career standing at a traffic checkpoint. Nooooo thanks.
Share Answer: 
We had a lot of guys with tattoos in the BP. Not many guys with full sleeves though. I suppose this wouldn't be a big deal unless the tattoos were of a graphic nature etc. Even then you could theoretically wear the long sleeve duty uniform shirt. I'm not sure, but I do not believe it is a huge deal. It's nowhere near as strict as the military standards for tattoos etc.
Share Answer: 
-OR-
Login with Facebook (max 20 characters - letters, numbers, and underscores only. Note that your username is private, and you have the option to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
(A valid e-mail address is required. Your e-mail will not be shared with anyone.)
(min 5 characters)
By checking this box, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to Jobstr.com’s Terms and Privacy Policy.
-OR-
Register with Facebook(Don't worry: you'll be able to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
Browse Jobs
Host a Q&A
Search
Submit Your Question
Host a Q&A
Last 7
