FAA Violation & Pilot hiring

[lockwire]

Talk about bad timing . . .

I'd just polished off my resume for the nth time and I was cautiously optimistic about my new chosen career. All first time passes, honors degree, successful previous career in IT as a senior executive; proven leadership skills, etc., etc., thinking I'd stand a reasonable chance of getting an interview at a regional. And then--plop--an FAA 'Letter of Investigation' lands on the door mat.

I won't go into detail about the allegation; the circumstances were unusual, to say the least. Anyway, I was fully cooperative with the FAA and accepted full responsibility regardless of the outcome. I may only get a Warning letter; worst case scenario seems to be a short suspension of my instructor's ticket. Or perhaps nothing at all. It was a paper-work issue as a CFI (not an accident / incident).

Anyway, I am assuming that there is no point in pursuing a flying career until the matter is closed as no one is going to interview a candidate that is in the process of an on-going investigation. Who in their right mind would? But I am otherwise absolutely squeaky clean and of a very honest character.

So I guess I'm kind of looking for advice really from other people that have been in a similar situation. Thus far I have concluded the following courses of action worthy of due consideration:

-- somehow get the FAA action determined as quickly as possible, and then move forward
-- return to previous career and fly for fun
-- cut one's wrists in a fit of depression

(The third point I added as a deadpan lament after musing about a pro pilot that I personally know. He's a clinical alcoholic who loses control of his bowels on a regular basis. And he flies 767s. But that’s a whole other story--)



What to do . . . ?

 

[wheelsup]

As a current CFI, I'm curious as to what a "simple paper work error" could land you a letter - was it an improper/nonexistant signoff, forgot to give a pre-solo written, etc. etc.? C'mon, be a little more specific so that others may learn!

In regards to your plight, are you a member of AOPA? They have a legal service they offer. However, since you've already admitted to it, I'm not sure how good it will do you.

If people can get hired with DUI's, I'm betting you can get hired with a violation. Or, maybe regionals won't touch you immediately after the violation but you could land a freight job and build some good experience and put some time between now and future applications.

Sorry mate-

~wheelsup

 

[TIS]

I won't go into detail about the allegation; the circumstances were unusual, to say the least.

Actually, if you want help in a matter pertaining to enforcement actions the details matter. If you don't want to post them PM me with a bit more If you're comfortable with that.

Anyway, I was fully cooperative with the FAA and accepted full responsibility regardless of the outcome.

That may have been a serious mistake. Though expensive, putting up a fight can be a path to the best resolution for you in the long term. It depends on what the problem was and how much of a hot button issue it is right now at the FAA.

I may only get a Warning letter; worst case scenario seems to be a short suspension of my instructor's ticket. Or perhaps nothing at all. It was a paper-work issue as a CFI (not an accident / incident).

If this is strictly an instructor issue you may not have any problem at all since it is not your pilot certificate that faces the action. You will have to be abel to explain what the issue was and how you learned form it to any potential employers but as long as your pilot certificate is not in jeopardy you are considerably more attractive than someone who's facing a 90 day suspension of same.

Anyway, I am assuming that there is no point in pursuing a flying career until the matter is closed as no one is going to interview a candidate that is in the process of an on-going investigation.

It's probably best to get it all out of the way but not for the reasons you're probably thinking. As long as an investigation is active they can overturn any dirt clod in your garden that they please including expansion of their little exam into the realm of your pilot certificate. If the matter is resolved then you have a concrete and definitive result that you can present in an interview when the matter comes up.

So I guess I'm kind of looking for advice really from other people that have been in a similar situation. Thus far I have concluded the following courses of action worthy of due consideration:

-- somehow get the FAA action determined as quickly as possible, and then move forward
-- return to previous career and fly for fun

If you want to fly you will have to let the matter run its course and then move on. If you're ready to give up and go back to whatever you were doing before then I think you should consider that you may not have the stomach for this job as a career in the first place.

Look, I know people who've gotten hired who had been in fatality accidents, had DUIs, had violations on their record, etc. It's about sticking with it and staying as clean as you can. Everyone knows that bad things sometimes happen to good people. That's the way you want it to look when someone's looking at you.

TIS

 

[Fly_Chick]

If you are a member of AOPA, join their legal services and explain the situation to them. They may have more insight and may see something you have overlooked.

TIS is correct, you may have to let the issue run its course. Do not give up if you really want to fly...