FAMS Question

[JLAT95]

Alright hear is my detail I am 21y/o about to be 22. I am graduating with my associates in the fall (associates in hospatality managment). I have wanted to become a FAM for about the last 3 years and was always intrested in law enforcment befor that. What advice can you give me so that I can make myself a more apealing applicant? Also what should I do to make myself more prepared for this type job? Thanks in advance for any information that you all can give me! Sorry bout my crapy spelling it is one of my weeknesses.:confused:

[scott715us]

Don't the Federal agent positions require a minimum 4 yr degree?

[NOLACOP]

YOu dont need a degree to become a FAM. The word is now they have begun an accelerated hiring process for current TSO (airport screeners) to become FAMS. If someone else is more in the know, please feel free to chime in.

[scott715us]

Pay Band G: Qualifying experience for the SV-G level includes three (3)
years of general experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to the GS-4
level which shows ability to: analyze problems, gather pertinent data, and
recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively
orally and in writing. Such experience may have been gained in
administrative, professional, technical, investigative or other
responsible work.
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: The experience requirement for
the SV-G level may be met by successful completion of a full 4-year course
of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree from an accredited
college or university.
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent combinations of
successfully completed undergraduate education and experience may be used
to meet the experience requirements.

[Piggy]

What is the standards for their annual physical fitness test that is required?

[JLAT95]

YOu dont need a degree to become a FAM. The word is now they have begun an accelerated hiring process for current TSO (airport screeners) to become FAMS. If someone else is more in the know, please feel free to chime in.

So would it be a good idea for me to try to get a job as an airport screener now? For like a year or so and than try to get in to the FAMS from there? Also I was thinking once my associates is done maby geting the law enforcment certificate or start into the criminal justice assocaiates or bacholors program just becouse I dont see my self going any wear with the hospatality degree.

[intheaircop2]

Do not put in for a airport TSA screener postion, I SAY AGAIN; do not put in for a screener postion. If you want to get into a LEO slot then put in for them. A screener postion will not get you far. I think the whole thing about the TSA saying that they will fast track some screeners to become FAMs was to place some sunlight at the end of a very long dark tunnel. I hope all the TSA screeners do not think that just because they are screeners that they can now just come on over to be FAMs.

I am not saying that all TSA screeners could not become a FAM, but most of them are total idiots! I am not saying you have to be a supercop to become a FAM. I think you just have to have a level head, think fast on your feet, shoot very very very very well under very stressful situations, be able to deal and speak to these passengers with respect with out making it out to be more than it really is, and fight for you life without pissing all over yourself when the crap hits the fan. This job is not for someone who has never carried a firearm before and thinks being a FAM that you will be serving search and arrest warants. FAMS are not 1811s, we do not give out speeding tickets and most of the arrests we do make get turned down by the AUSA anyways. "I am on a roll and need to stop" I have been doing this for over 4 years now and have not even had to flash my badge once. Now this is a good thing because I hate paperwork but it sure is totaly freaking boring!

[JLAT95]

Do not put in for a airport TSA screener postion, I SAY AGAIN; do not put in for a screener postion. If you want to get into a LEO slot then put in for them. A screener postion will not get you far. I think the whole thing about the TSA saying that they will fast track some screeners to become FAMs was to place some sunlight at the end of a very long dark tunnel. I hope all the TSA screeners do not think that just because they are screeners that they can now just come on over to be FAMs.

I am not saying that all TSA screeners could not become a FAM, but most of them are total idiots! I am not saying you have to be a supercop to become a FAM. I think you just have to have a level head, think fast on your feet, shoot very very very very well under very stressful situations, be able to deal and speak to these passengers with respect with out making it out to be more than it really is, and fight for you life without pissing all over yourself when the crap hits the fan. This job is not for someone who has never carried a firearm before and thinks being a FAM that you will be serving search and arrest warants. FAMS are not 1811s, we do not give out speeding tickets and most of the arrests we do make get turned down by the AUSA anyways. "I am on a roll and need to stop" I have been doing this for over 4 years now and have not even had to flash my badge once. Now this is a good thing because I hate paperwork but it sure is totaly freaking boring!

Thanks for this info. Becouse I am not looking to screw around for along time, I would like to get into it as soon as possible. Here is what I think will be a problem I dont have any LE experance I am fairly comfortable and accuarate with firearms tho and I will have an associates degree in the fall. Do you think any of the wi;ll help me or hurt me in the process? :confused:

[Big Sexy]

Do not put in for a airport TSA screener postion, I SAY AGAIN; do not put in for a screener postion. If you want to get into a LEO slot then put in for them. A screener postion will not get you far. I think the whole thing about the TSA saying that they will fast track some screeners to become FAMs was to place some sunlight at the end of a very long dark tunnel. I hope all the TSA screeners do not think that just because they are screeners that they can now just come on over to be FAMs.

I am not saying that all TSA screeners could not become a FAM, but most of them are total idiots! I am not saying you have to be a supercop to become a FAM. I think you just have to have a level head, think fast on your feet, shoot very very very very well under very stressful situations, be able to deal and speak to these passengers with respect with out making it out to be more than it really is, and fight for you life without pissing all over yourself when the crap hits the fan. This job is not for someone who has never carried a firearm before and thinks being a FAM that you will be serving search and arrest warants. FAMS are not 1811s, we do not give out speeding tickets and most of the arrests we do make get turned down by the AUSA anyways. "I am on a roll and need to stop" I have been doing this for over 4 years now and have not even had to flash my badge once. Now this is a good thing because I hate paperwork but it sure is totaly freaking boring!

Very good answer, helpful and direct.

[RobertK]

Don't know if this has been mentioned before. But, you need to be incredibly proficient with a side arm. If you look up the hand gun test for FAMs it is rediculously hard. On top of that, you have to pass it again before every single flight you board.

[tunlrat]

The firearms training is quite intense. I've never met a FAM who wasn't former LE or military & that helped them in that respect. So I pose this question, how hard is it for a civilian w/ no prior LE or military to pass FAM firearms training? I would think they would do well since they would bring no bad habits w/ them from their last job (firearms wise).

JLAT95, you never know until you apply! It really doesn't matter what your degree is in for the LE world, the more diverse the better. Just stay out of trouble, have some steady work experience (in anything), & you'll be fine. Good luck!

[RobertK]

This Is The Fire Arms Test

Read it, know it like the back of your hand, practice and go above and beyond what is required in that test and you'll do great. Another really great website to get some good info from is ProfessionalSoldiers.Com Go the "The PipeLine" section and read up on the mental training part.

A few hand gun tips from me, would be as follows.

1) When you go to the firing range. Do the hardest things first.

2) Practice your weaker points, no matter how much you dont like doing it.

3) Perfect practice makes perfect

[igneous]

Don't know if this has been mentioned before. But, you need to be incredibly proficient with a side arm. If you look up the hand gun test for FAMs it is rediculously hard. On top of that, you have to pass it again before every single flight you board.

Are you sure about that? Fams fly 5 days a week, and I dont think they would have time to take a firing test before each flight.

[RobertK]

If you have the opportunity, go to your local shooting range. Before you jump in there, watch the others for a few minutes. We're looking for a specific type here. If you talk to them, they will probably claim to be a "regular shooter". They will readily tell you they shoot "X" number of rounds a month. (You may need a mirror!)

They go to the range. Put the target perfectly square to them. Then they proceed to slow fire the box of ammo into the absolute tightest shot group they can. Then they brag to their buddies they shot this tiny hole.

A professional trainer calls the phenomenon Marksmanship Masturbation. Why such a derrogatory term? Because the only reason they train that way is to make themselves feel good.

You want to be like that guy at the end of the range by himself repeatedly clearing malfunctions with only his weak hand, then firing two to the chest, one to the head. Not fun training, good training.

It is human nature to want to do things we do well, especially when others are observing. This tendency is not conducive to self-preservation or self-improvement. You are not developing new skills when you train in this manner

[NyPd Sgt ALU]

yeah i wouldnt become a TSA screener in hopes of becomming a FAM the NYPD did this little trick with traffic agents and school safety saying you could bypass the 60 credit requirement or 2 years miltary if you were a traffic agent or school saftey for 2 years than you can go into the nypd academy. And it backfired on the NYPD big time it was so bad that they stopped it like a year after. JUst go for the LEO position