Can anyone throw me a little advice?

autiger10

autiger10

New Member
Ok, here goes:
I am currently a graduate student...I got out of the Army this past November with a medical discharge due to sulphur fire inhalation in Iraq (the Army says my breathing was jacked up) and also, they were giving those that have been in a combat zone a "blanket" PTSD disability. Whether you truly have it or not, the counselors told me I would get more money from the VA - so why not right? I'm not on any meds for either of the military associated problems. I went to an AME and disclosed all the information, he checked me out and granted me a 1st class medical (saying a lot of the folks evaluating soldiers are ignorant - I can't disagree). Anyway, I'm good in the medical area. Another issue is I got a DUI during my younger undergrad days 6.5 years ago. Dumb move, but I learned my lesson. I know that many airlines require a 10 year background check and within the 10 years (only been driving 10 years) I have gotten 2 speeding tickets (one being 5 years ago and the other 1 year ago) 1 turning right on red ticket (6 years ago) and a reckless driving ticket - driving to a soldiers funeral that died in Iraq - (2 years ago).

With all of this crap that I have just thrown out there, will I be laughed at when trying to get an interview with an airline, or will the interviewers look at who I am as a person and not hold that DUI against me as well as a medical military discharge and pigeon hole me?

I know this thread is long, but I just want to cover all aspects of my issues and get some insight before I take that leap into $50,000+ aviation training debt.

Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing some help!
 
Apply... Get an interview.. And then worry about getting laughed at...

IMHO- Just depends on your answers to their questions..

Be up front and honest and even if you don't get the job.. Good Karma!

:bandit:
 
I think you should go forward with flying if you have a heart for it. You can overcome the obstacles you mention. Time has a way of mitigating those things, to a degree. It may cost you an interview or two, but you'll eventually get past it.
 
Thanks for the help eveyone. Flying is something that I have truly been wanting to do for a while now. I'm sure you all can understand me being hesitant to spend $50,000+ and then get pigeon holed. I think I am going to go through with this and do the best I can. If I know my stuff, then an airline should look past my younger days and realize that many younger guys tend to do some dumb a$$ things; that was then, this is now. Thanks again!
 
I might be a little late, but there have been a few DUI questions of late. None have talked about getting their records expunged. I use to work on a review board for new firefighter recruits (Occasionally) and we often would advise candidates to have old records of DUI and such expunged.

Check on the time limits in the county or state you had you DUI and see if expungement is an option. With this done you don't have to disclose this offense and it should never be held against you. Of coarse your record has to be clean since that arrest. Sounds like yours is relatively clean.
Some states allow for self application some have to be petitioned by an attorney. I have herd of a few bad results from personal attempts to have records cleared. Most attorneys charge around 300-500 dollars, at least the ones I have helped with or herd of.

I am not the expert but this might be an option for you, it is worth checking into.

Good Luck
 
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