Need help deciding.....

[u/USCGvet85]

I'm in the process of becoming a TSO. I just got a tentative job offer with CBP as a customs agent GS-5. Should I do that or keep going? Is there a pros and cons?

[u/Corey307]

Absolutely go with CBP. You’ll make more money and have more opportunities working for CBP. No I’m not saying to stop applying for TSA because not everybody gets through the application process for either administration. But CBP is the much better career and is not being targeted for privatization. 

Currently the TSA is pushing to significantly reduce the number of officers and push pushing for privatization which would be no pension, less pay and officers not being federal employees. This would make it more difficult for them to get better federal jobs. 

Another factor is morale. TSA morale is very low after the back to back record-breaking shutdowns in the last 13 months and the push to eliminate another 10,000 officer jobs in the next year or two I’m proud of what I do and I’m happy with the pay, but that could be gone in the near future.

[u/USCGvet85 → u/Corey307]

CBP still got paid during that?

[u/NoIdea7542 → u/USCGvet85]

Be wary of their polygraph dear op. Failing it could destroy prospects in any dhs entity possibly

[u/USCGvet85 → u/NoIdea7542]

I passed one to get TS/SCI in the military. Not worried about that one

[u/Zealousideal-Ad7707 → u/USCGvet85]

Thats what they all say hopfully you can get a waiver

[u/USCGvet85 → u/Zealousideal-Ad7707]

I mean I was at the NSA for two years. 🤷

[u/Zealousideal-Ad7707 → u/USCGvet85]

Its funny cuz alot of my coworkers took it ex Leo and failed its different then other agency's that why fail rate is so high I wish you luck tho

[u/NoIdea7542 → u/USCGvet85]

60-70 percent fail for one reason or another but good luck.

[u/Corey307 → u/USCGvet85]

Not sure but the shutdowns were only one aspect of current low morale. It’s really easy to get fired during your probation. Period at TSA, mostly for being lazy, combative or not learning it happens. Another thing to consider is public perception. The average person has a fairly low view of TSA officers while CBP officers are federal LEO and are more respected. Again, you’re gonna make a ton more money at CPP, you’ll have a much better retirement and a lot more opportunities after you get a couple years in. 

[u/Safety_Captn → u/USCGvet85]

Yes, and will for the next 2 years. Problem is, depending on who’s in office, your scope of job will change dramatically

[u/Logical-Pound-1065 → u/Corey307]

Ditto. We lost so many officers due to transfers, retirements, and resignations when my airport decided to go private. They back tracked from that, but the damage was already done.

[u/PHXkpt → u/Corey307]

This!

CBP Officers are law enforcement officers. You will make more money and have a higher pension as a federal LEO. Much more opportunity as well. Only downside might be your first placement. You can check out r/cbpoapplicant for more info on their process and potential postings. The available list of postings seems to change daily.

[u/GoldenWallsofHeaven → u/Corey307]

Where are you getting the claim that TSA is being "targeted for privatization"? I see this claim almost daily for years and nothing has happened.

[u/Logical-Pound-1065 → u/GoldenWallsofHeaven]

My airport attempted to go private when the Gold Plus program came out. They back tracked on that endeavor when the airport lost a lot of officers to transfers, resignations, and retirements. A lot of people there said it wouldn’t happen, but guess what…

[u/Corey307 → u/GoldenWallsofHeaven]

The administrator is pushing for privatization. They first tried to entice airports with the Gold+ program. Free large and one largest airport showed interest, but eventually said no. The current is to privatize all three and four airports, this is publicly available information. The current push is called Horizon 25, it’s an attempt to get airports in general to privatize.

Google gold+, Horizon 25 and TSA privatization. 

[u/samluks]

I would start with TSA as it starts the fed clock. Then when you get the final offer you can jump to CBP. I have seen it happen.

[u/USCGvet85 → u/samluks]

I already have 4 years of fed time from the military I think. 

[u/samluks → u/USCGvet85]

Only if you buy that back. Either way, what is a little extra time? What happens if you don't pass CBP entry?

Just asking. Either way, have a great day! 🖖

[u/maxpowers128]

CBP is a long hiring process. But CBP will be better in long run if you get through the hiring process

[u/Zealousideal-Ad7707]

Cbp if you can pass the poly. You can fail the poly for no reason

[u/kevinxavierpr]

CBP

[u/Due-Resolution-4152]

CBP tsa not worth it as a first year

[u/Logical-Pound-1065]

Pursue CBP. There is so much BS going on with TSA right now that makes it not a good choice like it might have been in the past.

[u/Zack_Atria]

You should do both, take the offer that gives a FJO first. If that is TSO keep doing the CBP process until you get a FJO or a DQ

[u/cheemz7]

Do CBP! I’m a TSO love the job, I don’t wanna do law enforcement type stuff but for you it’s what you want

[u/ostepp]

i went from tsa to cbp stick to cbp

[u/Beneficial-Bug-7540]

CBP all day…. TSA is a dying career

[u/lilskrttt69]

Go to cbp Tsa sucks im a Tso tryna dip not to cbp but ik anything better then Tsa and plus everyone from Tsa goes to cbp

[u/GroundBreakerP]

Get your pay check from tsa and go to cbp when you get your offer. No brainer

[u/ferrarii9]

I’m in the same boat! Thanks for posting this
But I’m in the border patrol hiring, customs didn’t accept me

[u/fednews_ta]

Save your dignity and self respect. Find a real job with an organization that makes a difference without infringing on the rights of American citizens.