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Have you ever noticed a white 737-600 with a red cheatline heading down the tarmac and wondered – who owns that? If you have, you’re not alone. The secret government airline has a way of attracting rather than avoiding attention. But if you’re a pilot who always felt like being in the cockpit of one of the world’s most secretive airlines, this might be your chance.

Government Airline Janet Airlines

The service, which is sometimes referred to as “JANET” and “Janet Airlines” or on the Microsoft Flight Simulator X as the “Unmarked Airliner” and the “Secret Shuttle”, is just a US employee transit airline, albeit to some interesting, secret sites. It is operated for the USAF by AECOM, based in Nevada and serves West Coast facilities such as Area 51, as well as Ohio’s Wright-Patt AFB. It flies from a private terminal at Las Vegas‘ McCarran International Airport and has a WWW-prefix.

Jobs at Janet

You don’t see these positions popping up on Envoyair, because they need clearance. They mostly get filled internally by word of mouth but lack of take-up, anti-corruption and codes such as U.S. Code § 3110 mean these opportunities need to be made public now. Which is good news for some.

In 2010, URS (since bought out by AECOM) was looking for Boeing 737 flight attendants to be based in Las Vegas. These personnel would be required to undergo a Single Scope Background Investigation to obtain a Top Secret security clearance. It sounds like a tall order for the job until you consider the kind of conversations these employees would be overhearing.

And now it’s the turn of the pilots. Janet Airlines needs flyers. And here’s what they’re looking for:

Minimum requirements:

Extensive knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, the national airspace, and U.S. airman/aeronautical procedures.

Minimum of 3,000 fixed wing flying hours in-seat with 300 in-seat hours within last five years. At least 1,000 hours must be in turbine-powered aircraft and at least 1,000 hours must be as the pilot in command (PIC).

A willingness to live in Las Vegas

So far – so normal, but in addition you’ll need to be vetted and cleared to a Top Secret level.

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To do this AECOM will investigate your background and your associates. You’ll need to get evidence not just of your performance, but also your off-the-clock behavior. This will include proving your Allegiance to the United States, and the lack of likelyhood of foreign influence and preference. Basically, if your spouse needed a marriage visa to come to the US, don’t waste your time.

Your background check will also look into your sexual behavior, personal conduct, financial history, alcohol and drug consumption and involvement, emotional, mental, and personal wellbeing and hobbies. Because, let’s face it, bankrupt, heavy drinker pilots who like to gamble, with a habit of picking strangers in bars are great sources of information.

Then there’s the blocked list. Any criminal conduct, security violations or misuse of information technology systems will automatically bar you from the role.

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And what about the benefits?

The website is pretty light on details such as salary and benefits, but we’re guessing for many applicants, that won’t be the most attractive part of the job.

But if you’re still interested in this JANET pilot job you can apply here.