Airline pilot w/ suspended license?

[Hugh Johnson]

Instruction from the medical application:

CONVICTION AND/OR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION HISTORY:
Letter (v) of this subheading asks if you have ever been: (1) convicted (which may include paying a fine, or forfeiting bond or collateral) of an offense involving driving while intoxicated by, while impaired by, or while under the influence of alcohol or a drug; or (2) convicted or subject to an administrative action by a state or other jurisdiction for an offense for which your license was denied, suspended, cancelled, or revoked or which resulted in attendance at an educational or rehabilitation program. Individual traffic convictions are not required to be reported if they did not involve: alcohol or a drug; suspension, revocation, cancellation, or denial of driving privileges; or attendance at an educational or rehabiltation program. If "yes" is checked, a description of the conviction(s) and/or administrative action(s) must be given in the EXPLANATIONS BOX. The description must include: (1) the alcohol or drug offense for which you were convicted or the type of administrative action involved (e.g., attendance at an alcohol treatment program in lieu of conviction; license denial, suspension, cancellation, or revocation for refusal to be tested; educational safe driving program for multiple speeding convictions; etc.); (2) the name of the state or other jurisdiction involved; and (3) the date of the conviction and/or administrative action. The FAA may check state motor vehicle driver licensing records to verify your responses. Letter (w) of this subheading ask if you have ever had any other (nontraffic) convictions (e.g., assault, battery, public intoxication, robbery, etc.). If so, name the charge for which you were convicted and the date of conviction in the EXPLANATIONS BOX


The highlights are mine. Doesn't seem to be much wiggle room. Pretty straight forward, if your license was suspended, revoked, denied, or cancelled, or you had to go to traffic school (educational program) for speeding tickets, you have to report it on your medical application.

 

[Floatplane]

Had my license suspended in 1985 for getting three speeding tickets within one year. I reported it on a number of applications until the ten year requirement expired, and noticed no adverse effects. Other adverse effects were noted, however, ie: lack of college degree, no military time, scant recent PIC 121 time, etc.

What 10 year requirement are you refering to? As far as I know you are required to report it on every subsequent application after the original offense occurs. If you have no new offenses to report you can just put "no change in history" in the remarks section of the application and you still have to check the box yes.

 

[ackattacker]

I had my license suspended a few years back for a single $15 parking ticket. Didn't even know such a thing was possible. The ridiculous thing is I actually paid the ticket by mail, but it was 2 days late and they increased the fine to $30. The notice from the town never reached me because I had moved, found out months later when the DMV sent me a letter. Luckily never got pulled over.

Anyway I've put it on all my job applications. Huge PITA to explain. Never thought to put in on a medical application...

 

[jafo20]

With regard to interviews, either they want you or they don't. If they want you, the interview board will find some way to look past whatever otherwise disqualifying issue you have. If they don't want you, you can have a perfect record, great times, good references and they'll find some reason to turn you down.

Apply where you want and try not to worry too much.

Speeding tickets are expensive though.

 

[Ty Webb]

Way pre-Vette. I was driving this P magnet.

Are we talking Datsun here . . . . or what? And are you sure that heap can speed . . . oh, that's right, the speed limit was 55 then.

 

[njcapt]

Are we talking Datsun here . . . . or what? And are you sure that heap can speed . . . oh, that's right, the speed limit was 55 then.

Hey, don't be hatin' my hooptie. Bitchin' 1978 Toyota Celica. You're right, the speed limit was 55 in those days and I got busted going downhill two out of the three times.

 

[flyipilot]

I had a 3 month suspension back in 1987 for 3 speeing tkts within 12 mo time in IL. I put it on my FAA med every 6 months since they do ask for it. But, once you put it on ( 1 ) medical application with the dates and details. You can just write "See preveious application" or something like that on all future applications. I was told this from an FAA inspector many years back and I still do it this way. After 20 years, no FAA has contacted me or told me to change it. They are more concerned about DUI, Drug and violent crime stuff than speeding and dumb minor traffic violations. They just want you to be honest and report it all. This way you might not be hiding anything deeper. I have never had any airline ever ask more into it than what I jsut explained. We are all human and we all make silly mistakes in life. The FAA, like the rest of our current govt., just likes to have "control" over everything you do in life.

 

[Headfake14]

I wouldn't worry about a couple bumps in the road with one's history. A good buddy of mine was hired at SWA with an arrest record. Definately not a bad guy, just mis-communication over something and failure to appear....or something like that. No college either. It's ALL in the interview if they want you or not. And don't hide it.

Of course, the further back in your history the better.

Another friend was hired at Delta with a recent busted type ride...self disclosed it in the interview. Never blame someone else and try to explain it. Ten days between last sim and the type ride...any of us could have trouble with not being an FO in that type first.

Good luck brother.

 

[ALIMBO]

What about underage drinking tickets? I got one a couple years ago and the way they said it works is you pay the fine and that's it. It never leaves the towns records.

 

[b18onboost]

What about underage drinking tickets? I got one a couple years ago and the way they said it works is you pay the fine and that's it. It never leaves the towns records.

If it's not on your driving record then there's no need to report it. You can call AOPA for more information. If you have the Commercial Pilot Legal advice then you can also talk to a legal professional.