Past DUI and future chances of getting hired

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davidweb

New Member
Hello Everyone,

My name is David, and I live in Atlanta. My life's dream has always been to become an airline pilot... and recently a friend of mine who is enrolled at FlightSafety Academy recommended I look into it.

One problem, I had a DUI in October of 2003. I fully realize this puts me at nearly insurmountable odds of landing an airline job, but I just refuse to believe that one very poor decision from which I completely and totally learned my lesson can destroy a lifelong dream.

Any advice on things I could do to increase my chances at this point? Of course the clean driving record, etc... but would letters of recommendation and statements from substance abuse counselors, etc have any positive impact? There has just *got* to be *something* that I can do to move past this - short of performing se*ual favors on the attorney general to get it exponged from my record.

What can I do?
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Thanks so much
David
 
I know a guy who had a DUI and was still able to get hired at a major - but not a 'big five' carrier. That's the 'positive'.

The 'negative' would be that this was well before a string of high profile pilot/drinking episodes.

Let me run this past my 'source' who was a hiring manager and see what his answer is.
 
A DUI is a biggie. I'm not an airline pilot, but I'd think that's a tough one to get past.

On the bright side, airlines are just the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty of other flying jobs out there and many of them aren't as strict as the airlines.
 
David - just curious, have you taken any flight lessons yet?

If not it might be a good idea to get the private pilot cert or at least take a few flight lessons and see how you still feel about being an airline pilot; whether the dui is an issue or not.
 
I started taking ground lessons and logged about 10 hours at age 14... then when it came time for the FAA exam, the lady wouldnt let me take it cuz I was too young (test good for 2 yrs, hda to be 17 to get license). Then my eye doc cast some doubt on the future of it...

But... the eye thing is resolved, it wont disqualify me from a first class rating.

Flying is my dream. It's what I wake up in the morning thinking about and what I go to bed and dream about. Been that way since I was 6 (am 24 now). Since the dawn of Flight Simulator, I've been hooked. Never ever get bored of it. My freinds get sick of me askign them to take me flying. I could go on.

I had put the idea kind of in teh back of my mind however until I met a friend who was at FlightSafety... then it got pushed right back up to the forefront... I was so excited, was doing all kinds of research, making phone calls... checking about student loans - then it dawned on me that I made that stupid idiot dumbass mistake late last year and now I'm crushed. I just know there *has* to be something I can do. I mean I've already paid my dues for the mistake itself... and unlike most...I really did learn my lesson. I barely drink a drop at all anymore - and then it's something like egg-nog on Christmas.

I dont want to lose my dream to this... and I'm not going down without a helluva fight.
 
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Posting lag?

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Ay. Posting lag. As in I start a reply, pause to get a snack, finish the post, and find out I've been beaten to the punch.

Maybe I should have called it "PhotoPilot Lag" . . .
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[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Posting lag?

[/ QUOTE ]

Ay. Posting lag. As in I start a reply, pause to get a snack, finish the post, and find out I've been beaten to the punch.

Maybe I should have called it "PhotoPilot Lag" . . .
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, but you do take some great pictures so it's all good.
 
Shucks, Tony! It's really not hard. A few hints, guidelines, and a dash of luck and anyone can do it. Wrangle a week in Michigan sometime between May and October and I'll prove it to you. Wouldn't be hard: You've already got some killer shots. Just look at that Panda!

And hang in there, Davidweb. The harder you work to break the surly bonds of earth, the sweeter the air at altitude smells. At 24, you're a year ahead of me when I left photography and logged my first dual. Now 26, I'm a wildly successful flight instructor who has moved from Ramen to mac and cheese. Today, the generic brand, tomorrow, Kraft!
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[ QUOTE ]
Today, the generic brand, tomorrow, Kraft!

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I was very pleasantly surprised at the store the other day when I was stocking up on my Easy Mac...the generic brand was actually more expensive than Kraft by $.05. Woo hooo!!!!!!!!
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I think the more time you can put between the DUI and interviews. The better off you'll be. Also, the "bottom rung" flying jobs are less going to care about it. The higher up the ladder you go, the more of a factor it becomes.

I'd feel pretty safe in saying this won't ruin your chances of having a career in aviation. It might cost you a job or two....very likely will....but if you hang in there something good will eventually happen.
 
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If not it might be a good idea to get the private pilot cert or at least take a few flight lessons and see how you still feel about being an airline pilot; whether the dui is an issue or not.

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That is truly sound advice. I just received my PPL, and found out that I enjoy flying, but I don't love it to the extent that I want to give up the other aspects of my life to chase this dream. Make sure that you want to sacrifice everything that you currently have going for this career, you already have "Strike One". I don't want to deter you, but don't be blinded be your ambition.
 
David,

In my own opinion, I think this is something you can overcome. I can't comment on going to a Major airline, but it seems you could get a job flying for a regional, charter or something. By the time you qualify for these jobs you would have put the DUI further behind you.

Have you applied for your student pilot certificate yet? I remember reading somewhere that someone had a past DUI and didn't indicate it on his Medical/Student Pilot application. This came back to haunt him in a big way.

Best wishes.
 
I have not yet begun anything beyond that which I started when I was 14, which was not too too much.

What I *had* been thinking was going through Flight Safety Academy, cough up the $100K or so and hire onto an airline like ASA after about 300 hrs (that's the beauty of FSA)... but that seems at least at this point to be a relatively unlikely option.

Now in light of the DUI, I am considering going to someplace such as ATP to get my certificates and then accumulate my 2000 hours or so as an instructor. What I need to check on now is how sustainable doing something liek that is? Is it something I'd have to do on my own time or could I make *that* a full time job while at the same time logging hours toward a future hire with an airline.

Now as far as airlines are concerned... I'm wondering what my options might be. I mean by the time I finished w/ school and the time required at regionals like ASA... I wouldn't even be dreaming of a big-carrier job for at least another 6 or 7 years... which would put the DUI 7 or 8 years behind me.

The question still remains, would something like ASA still be attainable within the next year... or upon completion of the certificates at a place like FlightSafety or ATP. If I started at FlightSafety in January of 2005, I would likely finish the certificates by around Oct or Nov of 2005... putting the DUI two full years behind me. Would that be too close from the "day of dumbness" to be considered by a regional? If so, what other options would I have? And another fleeting thought throuhg my mind was if I could go fly on an non-US-based carrier, such as AirFrance or Lan (formerly LanChile).

Any thoughts?

Thanks so mcuh for all your feedback guys.

David
 
One thing I have found out is that when certain obstacles seem too great to overcame you gotta have that never say die attitude in this profession. Read about all the hirings and the hardships they went through and you'll see very quickly. Hang in there get you're PPL and be on your p's and q's. One bad mark or reference on top of that DUI and a professional airline or charter career may not happen.
I have an ugly tarnish on my record from STUPID juvenile gang-related activity, but I am finding that the better I perform on the job ,BTW I am not a professional pilot yet, and the longer it has been bosses don't care as long as I don't lie on the app.
Good luck and ride it until the wheels fall off
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What I *had* been thinking was going through Flight Safety Academy, cough up the $100K or so and hire onto an airline like ASA after about 300 hrs (that's the beauty of FSA)...

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At least that's what FSA wants you to think . . . If it was that easy, everyone would be a 300 hour regional hire. There are hundreds of posts about golden promises and marketing by flight schools on the JetCareers forum. I'd suggest you read as many as you can before you make a decision. FSA is a great school, but there are plenty of others out there, too.

Never forget that ALL of these places are for-profit, rev seeking businesses. Marketing is the key . . .
 
DUI Question and a surprising answer

Ok, between flights, but this was the question I asked my "source":

[ QUOTE ]
"One problem, I had a DUI in October of 2003. I fully realize
this puts me at nearly insurmountable odds of landing an airline job, but I
just refuse to believe that one very poor decision from which I completely
and totally learned my lesson can destroy a lifelong dream.

Any advice on things I could do to increase my chances at this point? Of
course the clean driving record, etc... but would letters of recommendation
and statements from substance abuse counselors, etc have any positive
impact?"

[/ QUOTE ]

And here's his answer:

[ QUOTE ]
Another million dollar question! There is a lot that goes into this
question.

First, the time frame for consideration is to close (2003). That is, if
this happened while the person is in the hunt, I'd say he/she is to high
risk. The company doesn't know if this is the begining of a much larger
problem and only time will tell. 24 to 36 months of a spotless record will
help. Also how old is this person? A youthful mental lapse or an older
person who should know better. If older, this person could be a bigger
problem down the road, again a lot of risk.

Has the individual followed up with the FAA, how about the physical? Is
this person currently employed as a pilot? How is their current employer
handling the situation?

Bottom line is that it is not the kiss of death, yet! He/She can come back
and be a strong viable candidate, happens all the time for the serious
pilot!

Take care and have a GREAT THANKSGIVING!

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