"have you ever broken a FAR?"

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We've all done something, through arrogance, idiocy, complacency, ignorance or accident, we've all done something. My list is just as long as the next guys. Being honest with oneself my important than not having busted a reg.
 
I was asked this question during an interview about 6 years ago. I think I responded somewhere along the lines of, not knowingly, but I'm sure I have at some point or another. They seemed to be happy with the answer because I got the job.
 
jrh said:
I would die laughing if somebody told me they'd never broken a reg. Unintentional or intentional, it's still a broken reg.

That's like a Christian saying they'd never sinned.

It happens to everyone. To say otherwise is either naive or delusional. Or maybe they just don't know the regs well enough.

I've taken off without proper preflight actions (91.103). Allowed a passenger to land without wearing their safety belt (91.107). My following of minimum safe altitudes has been debatable at times (91.119). Busted Class B airspace once (91.131). Gotten too close to clouds (91.155). Flew IFR without a 30 day VOR check (91.171). Flew without an operable transponder once (91.215). Allowed a skydiver to jump with an expired reserve parachute (91.307). Flown over gross weight, carried a passenger at night while out of night currency, flown without an airworthiness certificate on board, etc., etc.

If somebody tried to sugar coat this topic, I'd kick them out of the interview faster than I would if somebody laughed, said, "Who hasn't?" and was realistic about the situation.
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What is it about the internet that makes people want to incriminate themselves? This post could easily be used against you one day. If I were you I would seriously try to find any way possible to get it permanently removed from this website.
 
FL900 said:
What is it about the internet that makes people want to incriminate themselves? This post could easily be used against you one day. If I were you I would seriously try to find any way possible to get it permanently removed from this website.
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Honestly, how would the FAA ever be able to prove what he just divulged? He didn't mention any specifics, only that certain regulations had been violated.
 
FL900 said:
What is it about the internet that makes people want to incriminate themselves? This post could easily be used against you one day. If I were you I would seriously try to find any way possible to get it permanently removed from this website.
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I'll openly admit to anybody any FAR I've broken.

Do you really think the FAA is going to say: Hey remember on January 1st 2007 when you flew over gross weight?

The most they'll do from that is keep their eyes on me but I'm pretty sure they can't be retroactive in offenses.
 
I would err on the side of caution and go with, "I've never intentionally broken a reg nor have I been violated."
 
Have you ever missed a radio call?

I read through the FAA's letter to the pilots that overflew Minneapolis, I was amazed at some of the "gotcha's" the FAA can come up with.

One of the violations, was that they failed to maintain communication with ATC.

I've missed a radio call before...I guess I failed to maintain communication with ATC.
 
Adler said:
Have you ever missed a radio call?

I read through the FAA's letter to the pilots that overflew Minneapolis, I was amazed at some of the "gotcha's" the FAA can come up with.

One of the violations, was that they failed to maintain communication with ATC.

I've missed a radio call before...I guess I failed to maintain communication with ATC.
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So would it be safe to say you saw the lightgun?
 
So many FARs are vague and require interpretation as well. Take the careless and reckless regulation for example (14 CFR 91.13). It's definition is so vague that I'm sure any pilot on this forum could imagine an instance in which they were in violation.
 
FlySooner9 said:
Hey guys, i have an interview coming up at a regional. One of the common questions they ask is "have you ever broken a FAR?" Was wondering what you guys thought a good answer would be. I've heard different opinions. Some think if you say No they will automatically think your lieing since most people have broken a FAR in their career regardless of how small it was. Others say you should just say no unless there is something on your records.

Looking for some more opinions on this.
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Well, the truth is a good one. Stop trying to rack your brain with some canned BS answer that some guy heard from a buddy who knew this girl that worked in HR said they like to hear.

elmetal said:
My assumption is they ask if you have broken any to see how well you know the FARs down to sections like 91.103 like jrh listed.
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HaHa, good one.

My answer to this question has always been and will always be: I have never intentionally broken an FAR.
No more, no less. I have never been pressed for a further explanation. If you start telling them how, just last week, you busted this reg and the week before that you busted that reg and why, little ole me, I forgot about that other time...They're going to think you're a mouth breather that doesn't know when to shut up.
Lets face it, regional airline interviews are a dog and pony show that is a version of Kabuki theater. We go in there in a suit we've probably just bought and won't wear again until the next interview 5 years from now, we pretend to be ultra professionals that poop rose petals and are direct descendants Sky King. They pretend to ask us hard questions that are all over the internet ("leaked" there by non other than the HR department in question) and we pretend to give an original answer, after the amount of proper pause that every Get Hired Now! book says to take, that pretty much every one else has given-which is what they want. Uniform thought and willingness to get the job and ultimately get the job done.
 
FL900 said:
What is it about the internet that makes people want to incriminate themselves? This post could easily be used against you one day. If I were you I would seriously try to find any way possible to get it permanently removed from this website.
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There is a statute of limitations on these things, unless the conduct is so egregious that you holding an airman/air carrier certificate poses a threat to the public. None of that is egregious.

Relax, Holmes.

PhilosopherPilot said:
Have you ever said anything non-operational below 10,000 in a 121 environment? If you haven't, you will.
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This one. I know of no airline pilot who can keep sterile 100% of the time.

(Strictly constructed, "Look at the size of that thing!" while taxiing by an A380 is non-operational.)

z987k said:
Answer with a question. "Have you ever flown an airplane?"
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"Ah, crap."
 
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