Incident on FAA Background

[weekendwarrior]

Does an incident (not accident) on an FAA background check have a potential of disqualifying you for a job? If the incident was a mechanical fault (as stated by the faa)?

In other words, do you get a chance to explain the situation, or does a job app just automatically get thown out if there is an incident?

 

[Singlecoil]

No.



Yes.

 

[nosewheel]

I had an Incident/Accident in 88 and have never heard or seen anything from the feds or my employer since. I really dont think it matters that much, especially if there are No fatalities.Now ...if you have had a few... hmmmmm.

 

[weekendwarrior]

The FAA inspector said it would be on my FAA Background, listed as an "Incident" and listing "Mechanical Failure"

Obviously it's not my fault, I was just hoping it wasn't a "weed out factor" when it comes to going through the application piles.

 

[efiscompmon]

Stop sweating--find out yourself:


http://registry.faa.gov/airmen.asp#ObtainCopy

 

[mooser]

Dude, you have nothing to worry about!!!


Mooser

 

[bobbysamd]

Incidents

Does an incident (not accident) on an FAA background check have a potential of disqualifying you for a job? If the incident was a mechanical fault (as stated by the faa)?

In other words, do you get a chance to explain the situation, or does a job app just automatically get thown out if there is an incident?

Frankly, as a practical matter, it's far easier for H.R. coneheads to hire saints than sinners. Since most cabbages and watermelons are far more intelligent than most H.R. people who only can see black and white and not in shades of grey, my answers would be "yes" and "no."

Having said all that, there are a few exceptions to the anti-intelligence and anti-perceptiveness exhibited by most H.R. In other words, a few of these people have some brains. If your quals and experience interest them, you will have your chance to give your side of the story.

Two things you should do: (1) Answer all application questions honestly, meaning a "yes" if the question is asked. But if the question demands an explanation of your incident, you should write something like "to be explained at the interview" in that blank. If you try to explain the incident on your app, it will be in writing, which you really don't want and it will give them an excuse to sh!tcan your materials. (2) Order your FAA airman and medical records. In so doing, you will have the same information that they can obtain about you, which will allow you to design answers for any problem areas.

Hope that helps a little. Good luck with your job search.

 

[Jedi_Cheese]

(1) Answer all application questions honestly, meaning a "yes" if the question is asked. But if the question demands an explanation of your incident, you should write something like "to be explained at the interview" in that blank. If you try to explain the incident on your app, it will be in writing, which you really don't want and it will give them an excuse to sh!tcan your materials.

Even if it is a mechanical failure (as in this case)? I would suspect that a mechanical failure would be a better response than "to be explained at interview". You can't really fault the pilot if the mechanic puts the engine together wrong and leaves out a few important screws.

 

[bobbysamd]

Application strategy

Even if it is a mechanical failure (as in this case)? I would suspect that a mechanical failure would be a better response than "to be explained at interview". You can't really fault the pilot if the mechanic puts the engine together wrong and leaves out a few important screws.

Of course not, but 14 CFR 91.3 states that the pilot-in-command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.

I think you're better off explaining something like that verbally rather than commiting it to writing. Sometimes, things reduced to writing look far worse than they really are.

 

[OneMotorFokker]

The incident should not be a problem whatsoever. Whatever you do don't write "will explain in interview" on the application. I was told by the chief pilot recruiter at United that this is one way to ensure you don't get to the interview. Just follow the instructions on the application and explain that the FAA determined it was mechanical failure. They can't hold that against you. They are not looking for saints, just competent pilots with good decision making skills and resonable personalities. There are plenty of people with "problems" in their background working for regional and major airlines.

 

[Jedi_Cheese]

Of course not, but 14 CFR 91.3 states that the pilot-in-command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.

I think you're better off explaining something like that verbally rather than commiting it to writing. Sometimes, things reduced to writing look far worse than they really are.

I would suspect that on an application, saying that you will explain at the interview looks like you did something stupid that needs you to spin a story to get out of the incident (doing loops and something broke, but the FAA couldn't get your drinking buddy pax to fess up).

A mechanical failure is the fault of the pilot, but realistically how carefully can the pilot check the aircraft? Should he/she take apart the engine and inspect everything? Open up the inspection ports and look for rust or cracks on the wing spars and welds? I think in many ways an airline will understand if something like this happens to you more so than a vague "will explain at interview".

 

[FlyForFood_NOT]

hey warrior

Like others said in here, you absolutely have nothing to worry about. I had an incident on my record on 4 of the 121 interviews I've been on (engine out landing on the side of a highway). None put it on me as a bad thing (got job offers from 3). In fact, on 2 interviews I just pulled out a newspaper article about it and they all laughed about the whole thing - it was a great ice breaker. So don't worry about it. Airlines use a major weeding factor on resume search. Once you have an interview - chances are you're what they're looking for, otherwise they wouldn't be wasting time and free airline tickets just to weed you out later. Just don't hide it, explain it well, and they'll like it...



Good luck !