Getting a minor in consumption

[FN FAL]

The variable in this mix is how thorough your potential employer is in their background check. If it's a "security sensitive" job that does business with the government...the database will cough up your name.

If it's pulling Squishies at Quikie Mart...you're cool.

background check, smackground check, it doesn't even have to go that far. let's talk moral dilemmas and slippery slopes. First it's o.k. to underage drink and accept the risk, then it's o.k. to take students up in moderate icing in a 172 for night cross country instructional flights and share the risk. Next thing you know, it's o.k. to be a check airman, Parker 51 a check ride while out doing aerobatics in a Beech 99 you don't own.

 

[Occam's Razor]

background check, smackground check, it doesn't even have to go that far. let's talk moral dilemmas and slippery slopes. First it's o.k. to underage drink and accept the risk, then it's o.k. to take students up in moderate icing in a 172 for night cross country instructional flights and share the risk. Next thing you know, it's o.k. to be a check airman, Parker 51 a check ride while out doing aerobatics in a Beech 99 you don't own.

Good point!

I was addressing the technical aspect of the issue. The Information Age has made it difficult for anybody to have "amnesia" about things they may or may not have done in their "reckless youth".

The moral issue is the easy part. Accountablity...what a concept!

 

[Foties]

Dude,

One of the main reasons I got a pilot slot in the guard was because I had a "minor in consumption". I was so freaked out when they asked me about it in the interview. After I explained the situation they laughed at me. Yes I had my stuff together but trust me, as a pilot having sat on hiring boards. A huge factor is, "Do we want to hang with this guy?" Some guys don't drink and we respect that. But most guys in my unit enjoy having a good time on the road. We all have made mistakes, one huge thing is don't show a trend with multiple violations and DON"T EVER GET A DUI.

Good Luck.

40

 

[J.C.Airborne]

I encourage any and all activity that will keep you out of the industry. See you are blinded / confused about this business and anything that will force you to consider a different career path is a good thing. I know this is harsh but I am sure you will not quit flight training on your own accord.

I am fairly confident he will not quit his flight training on your accord either. Here is my rant on this issue: You probably grew up wanting to be a pilot, you used to tell people your "i have a dream" speech about how your more "alive" when your in the air than you are when your on the ground, how your a fish out of water on the ground. You went out, you got your private pilot certificate (yippee, hurrah!) your a pilot you have achieved your dream. You go through more training its all kosher...its just dandy...in fact everything appears to be going swimmingly...then all of a sudden 20 years down the road it hits you! My Gosh! This Job Sucks! I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS, or i SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT with my life.

well here is the thing....YOU DIDNT...and you cant change that so GET OVER IT! You chose your route in life and you have to accept its consequences whether for the good or the bad. Grass is always greener on the other side. Quit your whinning...suck it up...and make the most out of what life has handed to you and the lemonade you made with those lemons. You have to roll with the punches, and sure being a career pilot may have its disadvantages...its dissapointments...its trials...tribulations...the like...but it also has its moments of absolute beauty...like when your at FL 330 and the sun is leaving the horizon...what about those moments when you flying through clouds that are just beautiful. There are trials in any job...do the ends justify the means? Some say yes...some say no...but whatever your opinion is...just quit bitching about it because none of us want to hear how you made the wrong decisions in life. Each one of us must chose our own paths.

*please keep in mind this rant was not intended solely for the poster in which i am replying to, but in a general sense to any burned out pilot out there who thinks they could have done better for themselves*

 

[Resocha]

Just out of curiousity, how bad does getting a minor in consumption (underage drinking) hurt your career? I ask, because I have a lot of friends who drink, and I have always shyed away from it, afraid of ruining my career.

You won't ruin your career by drinking, but you may affect your career by making poor decisions while drinking. Be responsible, that's all. It's not the fact that someone drinks, or the quantity they drink, but it's the stupid sh!t they do while drinking that affects their career.

 

[NW_Pilot]

If you're underaged, don't drink...it's against the law. If you're of voting age and you don't think that law is fair, vote.

I joined the navy at age 17 and drank with my friends in bars and the enlisted mens club until I turned 18. In our state, at that time, 18 for beer/21 for liquor.

The funny thing was that most places would just see the military I.D. card and just wave me in thinking I was 18. The really funny part was how many times I got carded a month from by birthday and was turned away or told I could enter, but not purchase alcohol.

It's different times now. DUI penalties are stiffer and the under-aged drinking issue is a big crusade. Personally, I think if you are old enough to be drafted or join the military, vote and be tried in criminal court as an adult...you should be treated as an adult. Meaning, if you were allowed to drink at 18 and you screw up, you pay the price just like every other adult out there.

I agree FN when the hell is a young person an adult 17, 18 or 21 I think the same as you set an age say 18 call it good.

 

[FN FAL]

I agree FN when the hell is a young person an adult 17, 18 or 21 I think the same as you set an age say 18 call it good.

They can waive you into adult court at age 15.

 

[FN FAL]

You won't ruin your career by drinking, but you may affect your career by making poor decisions while drinking. Be responsible, that's all. It's not the fact that someone drinks, or the quantity they drink, but it's the stupid sh!t they do while drinking that affects their career.

That's just it, he's not asking about damage control from something that happened last week, he's asking us to do his risk assesment for what's going to happen, should he violate the law.

That's two different things.

I went and looked in our state statutes and there is a suspension/revocation of the drivers license for underage drinking, the schedule starts at 30/90 days for the first violation. Subsequent violations are scheduled at 1 year suspension and 2 year revocation.

 

[doug_or]

So, it's o.k. to violate the cute and fuzzy laws?

are you the guy going 55 in the left lane?

 

[getrad]

background check, smackground check, it doesn't even have to go that far. let's talk moral dilemmas and slippery slopes. First it's o.k. to underage drink and accept the risk, then it's o.k. to take students up in moderate icing in a 172 for night cross country instructional flights and share the risk. Next thing you know, it's o.k. to be a check airman, Parker 51 a check ride while out doing aerobatics in a Beech 99 you don't own.

EN FAL I have enjoyed your input in this discussion so far but let's talk about slippery slopes. A "slippery slope arugument" is by no means universially unutrue, but the strength of the argument relies on the causal strength of the connections between steps. If the causal connections between steps are weak, or even unknown, then the resulting argument will be very weak, if not downright untrue. I disagree with the argument that someone who has a beer when they are 18 years old is more likely to become a reckless check airman.

Cheers