from the wiki:

Rank structure

The following is a complete listing of the rank structure found within the FBI:[45]

a) Field Agents
a1) New Agent Trainee (until graduation from Quantico)
a2) Special Agent
a3) Senior Resident Agent (non-supervisory, in a Resident Agency (satellite office))
a4) Supervisory Senior Resident Agent (only applies in Resident Agency offices)
a5) Supervisory Special Agent
a6) Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge (ASAC)
a7) Special Agent-in-Charge (SAC)
b) FBI Management
b1) Unit Chief
b2) Section Chief
b3) Deputy Assistant Director
b4) Assistant Director
b5) Associate Executive Assistant Director
b6) Executive Assistant Director
b7) Associate Deputy Director
b8) Deputy Director
b9) Director

All the BAU characters are SSA (supervisory special agent - a5). Aaron Hotchner is a Unit Chief (b1). Erin Strauss/Matteo Cruz are Section Chiefs (b2).

Without a Trace:
- Jack Malone: Supervisory Special Agent (he's in charge of a squad so he can also qualify as a SAC).
- Sam Spade: Special Agent
- Vivian Johnson: Special Agent (as 2nd in command, she can qualify as an ASAC)
- Danny Taylor: Special Agent
- Martin Fitzgerald: Special Agent
- Elena Delgado: Special Agent

Meaning the BAU agents are about equal in rank to Johnson and Malone. With Hotchner outranking them all. Basically to be BAU you need to be specially recruited or have served in other divisions for years. If I recall the show, Reid being on the BAU was a special situation that was only allowed because of his knowledge.
Remember Criminal Minds (all seasons), the head of a field-office calls in the BAU and the team acts on an equal basis with said agent.

Way to get the jurisdictional angst going.

The BAU team doesn't get much time per person, but what there is seems to work except for Hotch. His dialog sounds a bit off.

I've watched enough WaT to know the characters but I've never read any stories before. I found this because I've just become interested in CM and was looking for stories.

The initial setup looks good. Nice Vivian. The episodes I've seen it always made me wonder why she didn't run over Jack with a eighteen wheeler.

Just somthing that I picked up on in this chapter.

"[Elle] ...One of only two female profilers in the BAU..."

JJ isn't actually a profiler. She's the meadia liason.

*SPOILER*

In the episode North Mammon (Series 2, Ep. 7) Hotch asks her if she ever thought about taking the profiling classes.

I love this fic in an epic way! I generally go for the Reid/Morgan ship but when I saw this cross of CM and Without a Trace (my two favorite shows) I HAD to read it! I'm so glad I did!

And now I'm officially a fan of Spencer/Elle.

It's 3:52 AM and I'm off to read the next in the series :D

What is wrong with that? I doubt he is going to do anything. He is too unsure in that area.

Excellent story. Good profile. Well done.

Aha! Getting cute are we, Hotch? Well we shall see.

Not protecting them, rescuing them! Geez guys!

Well maybe he thinks he would be better off without his folks. Wow! Well done! But how much of a minor. Excuse me but I signed for deliveries before I turned 16.

Hee hee So she does remember! Good for her!

Hee hee Coming at this one from a slightly different angle will be good for them.

Superb start! Very WaT!

I love this story. Reid is so cute and poor guy, getting his arm broken. I was surprise that Gideon did not come to the hospital. I am so glad he got Elle and I loved Gideon's advise at the end of the story. He is so wise. I also loved the interaction of Elle and her brothers, so cute. I see that the sequel is posted and I can't wait to read that one also.

Dwee:D You know that I love this story...I haven't seen any of the second, so I hope you start postin it soon! Awesome story..muahaha!

There's gonna be a second part? Yay much? )

I love this story, and can't wait for the sequel.