Wow,
Well I must say I am very torn even replying to your question as one of my best friends has spent the last 12 years in a wheel chair "thanks to" a lady next door who came back from a “ladies night out” party and while driving home veered of the road right before her driveway hitting my buddy who was standing in his driveway. (She spent short time in prison [4 months I think?] and sold her house shortly thereafter as all the neighbors wanted her out). Sorry to bring this up, just wanted to explain why dui, dwi is such a controversial issue – it affects/hurts/shortens many people’s lives.
First of all - I’m glad you put drinking behind you, I really am!
Now, when it comes to your future in commercial aviation; that's a tough one. At one of my previous airlines I remember being told by a recruiter that they used a “10-year rule,” meaning that if a dui/dwi offense was committed more than 10 years prior AND there were no other problems AND the person did very well in the interview - he/she probably would get hired. That was a regional airline though, not sure how a major airline or a commercial operator would treat this.
In your case though, since you “relapsed” I’d say they’d have to be extremely forgiving to let you in. If anything, based on the 10 year rule, you’d have to prove yourself for another 4 years or so, probably much longer, before they’d even interview you.
Put yourself in their shoes, if you EVER bumped into someone or something (drunk or sober won’t matter at this point) the airline/company would be liable for all kinds of lawsuits for hiring a person with a history of being dangerous to others (drinking and operating machinery).
I truly wish you the best and hope that you’ll find a good job which will make you happy; most importantly please do not ever drink again!!!
