Disclosing negatives

[Xditchdogg]

Hey Everyone,

Three years ago I was arrested for DUI. The case was pled down to reckless driving. In AZ where it happened they also have a DMV hearing for further action against your license. It was dismissed there. The whole case was questionable and I told my lawyer to accept any plea that didn't have alcohol with it.

Now i'm faced with the challenge of disclosing the DUI arrest and explaining the reckless driving charge. I know honesty is the best way to explain these things but my question is... Does anyone know any ways to explain or handle these situations that can somehow take the extremely negative feeling out of it?

 

[UPSer]

Being totally honest and upfront is your best way of handling the question. I don't know what position/s you are applying for, but if it's for a highly sought after position, I'm afraid that in today's environment with so many highly qualified pilots out of work that you are screwed. Why would an employer take the chance and hire you with a major blemish on your record when their are litterally thousands of applicants with squeaky clean records out there.

Sorry to be so harsh, but it just goes to show you that being irresponsible, even for a short time, can have life long consequenses.

 

[Dizel8]

You were arrested for DUI, not banging the bong

That was the good news, the bad news is, that all you can do is be honest and forthright. Don't hide, don't squirm regardless of how ugly it is. You made a big mistake, own it and show that you have learned from it. I personally would not try to say it was questionable, that to me looks like you are trying to "hide".

I sincerely wish you best of luck!

 

[Ty Webb]

I know a few guys who have had a DUI who were eventually hired by a major. The common thread seems to be:

1) It was an isolated incident, and

2) They took responsibility for it, and

3) Described what they learned from it, and

4) Described the steps they have taken so that it will never happen again.


Good luck, if it were me, I would probably try to do some sort of professional interview consultation to make sure you are addressing it in the most favorable way.

 

[CMonBoard]

This type of thing might warrant a few bucks spent with an interview coach, a PR person or someone you know in an HR department somewhere to help you craft the right words to use in an interview. You are, most likely, going for an interview for a multimillion dollar career (at least for a little while longer) and the money spent would be worth it.

Note that I'm not suggesting you lie about it, rather I would probably follow the advice of the previous posts. The only difference is that person will teach you HOW to talk about it and put a positive spin on it.

Face it, your expertise is flying airplanes, not public speaking. Spend the money, get the job.

 

[bandit317]

Don't listen to UPSer. We just had a guy hired by SWA who had 2 DUIs. Go figure. I've had none and can't get an interview. Maybe that's what I need.

 

[Daveman]

Being totally honest and upfront is your best way of handling the question. I don't know what position/s you are applying for, but if it's for a highly sought after position, I'm afraid that in today's environment with so many highly qualified pilots out of work that you are screwed. Why would an employer take the chance and hire you with a major blemish on your record when their are litterally thousands of applicants with squeaky clean records out there.

Sorry to be so harsh, but it just goes to show you that being irresponsible, even for a short time, can have life long consequenses.

Man you guys at UPS are an arrogant bunch! (except for Clyde).
We've all made mistake, Brown shirts excluded, take the advice from dizel, TY, and Cboard. Good luck Bro.

 

[Zipperhead]

Xditchdogg,

I have a good friend of mine who I got hired at TWA with me and he had a DUI, He was upfront and honest. One of the interviewers said to him something like " Oh I had one of those myself many years ago, no big deal."

I also have a frined at Delta who had a DUI and an accident, he used the same approach. Be honest and Good luck to you.....

 

[JTB]

Take responsibility - easier said than done

This is a HUGE question. And while many will not post to it, many can relate and feel your pain. I think Cheryl Cage sums it up best in her book "Checklist for Success" ...in Ch 6 of Self Evaluation she states the following (I'm probably not supposed to quote her book and it's not exactly the same situation, but I think her thoughts on discussing a difficult area at an interview are right on target):

""Take Responsibility.
A mature individual takes responsibility for mistakes. A candidate who rationalizes a mistake will not be viewed as such an individual. Several years ago I met with two clients in the same afternoon. As I reviewed their paperwork in advance, I discovered one candidate had a minor FAA violation. The other candidate had two traffic tickets. Although the traffic tickets were going to be difficult to explain, I felt the FAA violation would be far more damaging.
After meeting with these two candidates my outlook completely reversed.
The individual with the minor FAA violation came to our meeting prepared and ready to discuss the situation. He presented me with all the paperwork concerning the incident (FAA and NTSB reports and his written explanation of the incident to each agency). He remained calm, helpful and professional during our 45 minute discussion.
Although the violation was till a problem, I felt confident the interviewer would give this individual every consideration. Happily, this turned out to be the case. The individual was questioned for almost an hour about the situation, the violation was thoroughly researched by the airline, and this individual was hired.
The second candidate, in sharp contrast to the first, refused to admit that the traffic tickets had been his fault. He pointed the finger at everyone but himself. Both tickets had been for speeding and he complained that there had been a speed trap and "lots of people got caught." His comments were: "That the road shouldn't be 45 mph!" and, "The city just wants the money!" Although technically and educationally well qualified, this individual did not make it past the initial screening interview. Not suprising!
When discussing a problem area, tell the complete story and accept responsibility for your actions.""

IMHO - By remaining calm, helpful, professional and most importantly, honest, I think the first candidate did it right. UPSer, while your post may be true in some respects, it doesn't offer insight into how to properly handle the situation.

I hope the passage helps and PM me if you have any other questions.

Good luck and fly safe!
jtb

 

[AA717driver]

Ok, here's one for you all: Friend gets pulled over because she crossed the yellow line and overcorrects and tags the curb a little(the curb juts out and is literally black from all the cars that tag it regularly).

Anyway, cop pulls her over and says he smells alcohol on her. She blows .000. He does the nystagmus(eye movement) test and tells her she passes. She does the stupid human tricks and fails(she isn't very coordinated and couldn't do them on her best day).

Because of that, she goes for a drug test. She takes prescription meds and they show up on the pee test. She is still waiting for the results of the blood test. The preliminary blood test again reports opiates(pain meds.).

She wants to fight it but doesn't want to spend $10k in the process. The prosecutor is swamped so he hasn't even looked at the file. If she gets pulled over for even jaywalking, she goes back in the slammer until the trial.
Not an option.

Anyone know what the deal is if she pleads guilty on a first offense with 4 days jail time already credited? What does this do to your car insurance?

I have lost a lot of respect for the cops because of how she was treated in custody.

Thanks in advance.TC

 

[Gulfstream 200]

tell your gal to spend a few bucks on a lawyer.

She consented and blew 000. Case Dismissed.

BUT, she should have never consented to a blood test. Now she has to prove her meds didnt impair her (did they)

Definitly need a lawyer, and slap a harrassment suit on the deptartment too. If anything it goes on the jackoff cops records. Sounds like you typical flatfoot cop who got beatup in high school and is getting back at girls who laughed at him.

 

[AA717driver]

G200--Thanks. She has a lawyer but believes he is financing his pro bono work on her back. I'm going to talk to a friend of mine who is a Personal Injury lawyer to get a different take than her guy has. Thanks again.TC

 

[surplus1]

I have no idea how your problem will play out in a job interview but I can't resist these thoughts.

You may not get a pilots job because you were arrested and charged with DUI and wound up being "convicted" of reckless driving.

Ironically, it is reported that the President of the United States was arrested and convicted of DUI once. The Vice President of the United States was arrested and convicted of DUI twice. Apparently these "mistakes" have had no impact on their ability to hold the two highest jobs in the country.

The current President's wife allegedy ran a stop sign as a teenager and caused an accident that killed the other driver. To my knowledge she was never charged with "vehicular homicide" or any other "crime", and has no problem being a good "First Lady" who is highly respected.

Both members of the flight crew of a certain airline were "convicted" of operating an aircraft in revenue service while under the influence of alcohol and served time in jail. That crew was "rehabilitated" and is currently flying for the same airline.

Nevertheless, your "conviction" for reckless driving may prevent you getting the job you want.

I can't give you advice, but I wish you luck. The "system" is the system and what is fair or reasonable or "justice" has little to do with it all.

 

[RVR300]

You forget, there is a new security document you have to sign during the required TSA background check. If you lie on any part of it and they find out, you'll be more than screwed.

 

[crashpad]

... it just goes to show you that being irresponsible, even for a short time, can have life long consequenses.[/QUOTE] With the TSA sticking their nose in every nook and cranny, UPSer may be right.

But hey, we were all there after 9/11 when they did the backround checks and everyone was trying to remember "'just what did happen after that party in college.'" or "..I did'nt know she was only 15 and it was legal in Utah anyway!"
Yes, we were all a little nervous for a while.

 

[FatesPawn]

Hey Everyone,

Three years ago I was arrested for DUI. The case was pled down to reckless driving.

An employer can ask if you've been CONVICTED OF, not ARRESTED FOR...

I hate to quote the USAToday , but it was the first thing that showed up on a Google search of "interview questions illegal arrest"

http://www.usatoday.com/careers/resources/interviewillegal.htm

CERTAINLY, don't lie. Tell the truth. When they ask, "Have you ever been convicted of drunk driving?" Tell them the truth.

"No."

Fate

 

[English]

An employer can ask if you've been CONVICTED OF, not ARRESTED FOR...

I hate to quote the USAToday , but it was the first thing that showed up on a Google search of "interview questions illegal arrest"

http://www.usatoday.com/careers/resources/interviewillegal.htm

CERTAINLY, don't lie. Tell the truth. When they ask, "Have you ever been convicted of drunk driving?" Tell them the truth.

"No."

Fate

The Alaska Airlines online application asks if you've every been arrested.

Next!

 

[FatesPawn]

The Alaska Airlines online application asks if you've every been arrested.

Next!

Please re-read my post. I never said employers don't ask illegal questions. Just that there ARE legal and illegal questions. Asking about arrests is not a legal question.

Next!

Fate

PS - here's a quote from the website I posted.

>>>
"Your third option is to examine the intent behind the question and respond with an answer as it might apply to the job. For instance, if the interviewer asks, "Are you a U.S. citizen?" or "What country are you from?," you've been asked an illegal question. Instead of answering the question directly, you could respond, "I am authorized to work in the United States." Or, if your interviewer asks, "Who is going to take care of your children when you have to travel?" you might answer, "I can meet the travel and work schedule that this job requires."

<<<

 

[501261]

The Alaska Airlines online application asks if you've every been arrested.

Next!

No, it's true you are not allowed to ask certain questions during an interview. Asking about arrests is a good way for the HR people to get the company sued.

Now the way you get around this law is to have 1 person ask about arrest, marriage, nationality, etc. and have another person on the interview board tell the interviewee they are not required to answer that question.

 

[Flying Freddie]

Remember what happened when Clinton lied!