CFI Interview questions

[troy]

I have a CFI interview soon. My question is should I be proactive and tell them that I have a felony on my record up front or should I wait until they ask me/I am asked on the application?

 

[pilotpat]

Felony???? Big deal, they just want to know that you're gonna sit around for 12 hours and get paid for 4 at $10 an hour while they charge the student $45...they don't care 'bout no stinkin' felony.










The above statement is in jest...if it had been an actual statement, you would have been instructed to seek shelter and await further instructions...this is only in jest...we now return you to your regularly scheduled deluge of insults.

 

[pilotpat]

Seriously, dude...what do you think? A felony DUI is different than 1st degree murder - I think you need to fess up like now.

 

[NYCPilot]

Whats the felony for?

Soem flight schools don't even ask about stuff likethat or even have a formal application to fill out. Just a handshake and a checkout in all thier A/C.

I don't think they'd care much anyway, but in terms of getting hired by an airline, well thats a differnt story.

 

[troy]

I know that the airline gig is not available to me forever, don't care about going there anyway....

The felony is "possession of a firearm by a person previously conviced of (misdemeanor) domestic violence" Years ago, my ex wife and I got into a fight and I got this on my record. Move forward a number of years when she finally leaves me, and called the ATF because I had a couple of hunting firearms in the house. The worst thing is that I didn't even knew that the law existed!! But since ignorance is not an excuse, I took a plea and here I am. I must face the consquences of my actions, but was wondering if I should tell them up front or only if asked.

 

[NYCPilot]

I'm alomst sure you could get an instructing job at a lot of places and the felony thing, well if its been 10 yrs prior to an airline application, you might be able to leave it off. The FBI check is 10 years and the application asks whether you have been convicted of a felony WITHIN the past 10 years.

As far as other operations, 135 and such, I'm willing to bet you could get work there too.

But going back to the original question, I wouldnt volunteer any information that isnt asked for during a CFI interview. I know I wasn't asked of any. BTW, a lot of ppl have been arrested for silly things and understand. The chief pilot or who ever does the hiring may have had some tangles with the law when they were younger and less wiser.

Anyway, for most CFI jobs they dont do background checks, unless at a large school like FSI.

 

[troy]

Thanks for the info, I think that is what I will do, only say what is required or if asked. It's only been 5 years, so I'll have some time to wait. Only if I could change the past.....

 

[Boris Badenov]

"Do you have a pulse? A license? Do you mind sleeping in gutters? Are you available tomorrow?"

 

[troy]

I know that I'm probably making too much out of this job, just want to do the correct thing and get some opinions

 

[NW_Pilot]

I know that the airline gig is not available to me forever, don't care about going there anyway....

The felony is "possession of a firearm by a person previously conviced of (misdemeanor) domestic violence" Years ago, my ex wife and I got into a fight and I got this on my record. Move forward a number of years when she finally leaves me, and called the ATF because I had a couple of hunting firearms in the house. The worst thing is that I didn't even knew that the law existed!! But since ignorance is not an excuse, I took a plea and here I am. I must face the consquences of my actions, but was wondering if I should tell them up front or only if asked.

That sucks! So what happens if you decide to drop out of the so called “civilized society” and decide to hunt for your primary food source! I know myself; I prefer wild elk or deer over icky tainted beef any day! I bet you could fight any further charges that by taking away your firearms you will not be able to eat and are depriving you of your life & liberty! You could start your own religion that requires that the only meet you can eat is wild game! It works for the puppy & kitten eaters in this country!

 

[TimsKeeper]

It's certainly not a good thing to have on your record, but take a breathe and don't let it consume you. If this job doesn't work out, the next one will, or the one after that. You will eventually get your chance, you might just have to dig a little further.

If your goal is beyond flight instructing that is also available to you to. Again, you'll need to find the right company, but it's there.

Best of Luck on your interviews.

 

[pookie]

Majority of the owners who run flight schools have a shady past so i wouldnt sweat it. I havent met an honest flight school owner yet so good luck.

 

[Doc Holiday]

That sucks! So what happens if you decide to drop out of the so called “civilized society” and decide to hunt for your primary food source! I know myself; I prefer wild elk or deer over icky tainted beef any day! I bet you could fight any further charges that by taking away your firearms you will not be able to eat and are depriving you of your life & liberty! You could start your own religion that requires that the only meet you can eat is wild game! It works for the puppy & kitten eaters in this country!

Why don't you stop using all this electricity and go plant a tree?

 

[Sam Snead]

For part 91, don't tell them anything they don't ask. If they somehow "discover" your record, you may have to explain... but any place that doesn't ask this "felonies" question up front will never bother to "check your record" IMHO

If the operator/flightschool owner wants "background" on you, then give him background. Don't answer any questions not asked.

If the application asks about "felonies" then answer honestly. Your explanation sounds decent and I don't think most flightschool owners will sweat it if you seem like a decent person and you earnestly want the job.

PM me if you want more advice (from a former flight school flunky)

 

[troy]

I'm back from my interview, I got a good feeling about the whole thing. The Director of Flt Ops brought up the background check and I let him know the whole story. The place that I interviewed at was at a college, so I do not believe that it will be a big deal. HR is the hiring authority anyway, so if the application asks for it, then they see it. I'm sure that they rely on his recomendation anyway.

As for the hunting portion, I still can have a muzzleloader and/or a bow. I've gotten really good at archery. It's a lot more fun and sportsmen like anyway. I guess nobody has ever been killed in the history of man by an archer or a black powder rifle!!

 

[NYCPilot]

Good luck on the job. I hope they'll understand and look past it. It's good that you were honest about the whole thing.

 

[troy]

Thanks, I hope to be hearing back soon!! Looks like about 100 hrs/mo of dual given during the normal semester. Should be flying freight by next year (I hope)

 

[Huggyu2]

Troy,
For what's it's worth, based purely on your postings, if I were an HR type, I'd hire you. Honesty and willingness to accept responsibility says a lot.

 

[Captain Overs]

Am I missing something here? When did he take responsibility for it? If I read his post right he blames his ex for his problems. "It was just some hunting rifles". Guess what? If you can't have them then you're breaking the law. It's not her fault you got busted. I wouldn' t hire you because you should be smarter than that.

 

[Huggyu2]

Not surprised you feel that way, based on the website you seem to promote.