Recent DUI

[Voytek]

I have 700 TT and 100 Multi and I just received DUI a week ago. I am currently a flight instructor and my goal is airlines. I know that DUI is a huge burden on my record (it was a very stupid mistake that I will never do again) and I have small chances to get hired with regionals or even majors. The question that I have is if I should keep on trying and applying and hope for a lock to get hired or should I wait few years and keep my record clean and they try to get hired. I gues what I'm asking for is if I apply now and get rejected do I have less chances to get hired later on as if I didn't apply at all with the specific regional?

 

[Max Powers]

I would keep trying if you don't get the jobs they aren't going to remember you in a few years. Give Mesa or Champion a try they have guys with DUIs so do others however all the people i know with them got them some time ago. maybe try to move over to corporate side of things.

 

[L'il J.Seinfeld]

You seem repentent, so I will not kick you when you are down. First off you need to ensure you don't have an alcohol problem. Get treatment if you need it. You need to get this DUI in your past. You should be able to get some jobs flying, but they'll be bad ones. CAT will hire you and there are always those China flight instructing positions. I'd recommend applying and if/when the regionals turn you down just keep persevering.

There are plenty of folks who have screwed up. You need to truly learn from it. Remember Pres Bush had a DUI and ended up leading the free world. Good luck.

 

[wooferdog]

I have 700 TT and 100 Multi and I just received DUI a week ago. I am currently a flight instructor and my goal is airlines. I know that DUI is a huge burden on my record (it was a very stupid mistake that I will never do again) and I have small chances to get hired with regionals or even majors. The question that I have is if I should keep on trying and applying and hope for a lock to get hired or should I wait few years and keep my record clean and they try to get hired. I gues what I'm asking for is if I apply now and get rejected do I have less chances to get hired later on as if I didn't apply at all with the specific regional?

Voytek-
It's too bad you caught a DWI.

I can almost gaurantee you regionals are out--the thought being "why should we hire you when this other guy has been a little more responsible?"

I would think that you should keep on instructing, and perhaps try to get a Part 91 / Corporate gig for a while. They usually don't check / ask about DWIs. Regionals / Majors / Globals do. Time is the only real thing to heal something like this.

Have you spoken with A dang GOOD LAWYER about getting out of it? Some of them can work wonders just if they can find a loop-hold based upon your specifics.

Good luck to you, and keep your head up. You're not the first, and you won't be the last to do this. I just hope you learned your lesson.
-w

 

[Scube3]

Don't let them charge you with a DUI. Get a lawyer. Try to bring it down to a reckless driving. That will give you more chances...

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Today most corp outfits sure do check for DWIs, and for some it is a show-stopper.
I bet even the smaller 135 outfits check also. Isn't there something about not flying into Canada if you have a DWI? How about the FAA knowing?

You get the sense you better lawyer up here?

Do everything in your power to get out of this, ANYTHING on your record except DWI. Its worth the 10K (many times over) if thats what it costs.

You wont be the first pilot with a DWI by any means, but nowadays its a real problem..

good luck.

 

[ilkwamh2]

deleted...

 

[Lost]

Don't give up hope. Take advice from people who have had one and worked passed it, not people who will offer you second hand information and tell you to give up. Make no mistake, it's going to be alot more difficult, but not impossible. Most people that do drink on occasion will admit there has been a time in there life when they could have received a DUI, but have just been lucky thus far. Some of these people are on interview boards and do understand. I got one 8 years ago, and I've still been able to forge ahead. It was difficult, but I got a 135 job 2 years post dui, and a 121 job 3 years post dui. When you interview, be honest and tell them how you've learned a great lesson, how it will never happen again, and how you've bettered yourself since then. I know quite a few others in the industry who have been slapped with the dreaded dui and have been just fine. Just keep your record clean from here on out, keep working hard, and it will work out. Also, somebody above mentioned getting a lawyer to get the charges knocked down. Looking back, I wish I would have done that. It will cost alot, but it will make things that much easier in the future. Best of luck!

 

[wannab]

A DUI while an instructor! What a way to start a career in an industry that is completely saturated with applicants who DONT have any record let alone a DUI. Since you are a CFI, I assume you were convicted?! If you havent been convicted and only arrested you still have a small problem. Your criminal history through NCIC will show that you were arrested for an alcohol driving offense then plead guilty to Reckless Driving. The oldest trick in the book is to cop a plea agreement on a first offense DUI. I have no doubt that some aviation company's dont perform background checks on their people but neither do the strawberry growers at harvest time. Now, the FAA can't take action against you for being arrested but it begs the question; Will a company hire you with a recent alcohol arrest and a lesser crime conviction? Remember, no company owes you a detailed explanation as to why they don't want to hire you. Not to mention if you tried to sue them for not hiring you, it will only "mark" you as trouble. The aviation world is relatively small amongst aviation company's.

What I am telling you doesnt seem too positive but lets be real here, you are in a serious "hole" here. What you can do, however, is start building your integrity back up. Lets be real one last time; you will probably not even be considered by anyone for at least a year or two. So, I would start building your integrity by getting involved with several anti-drunk driving associations. I would also learn as much information about educating people about ALL of lifes downfalls as it pertains to alcohol use. Downfalls such as loss of driving privelages, health ramifications, under-age drinking, affects on family members...I think you get the idea. Volunteer to give lectures at schools, community centers, alcohol recovery sessions or even write and publish an article. You will also want to keep a detailed list of the coordinators for all the events you attend. I know this all sounds like a major headache but ask yourself; Do I want any chance of flying for a reputable company someday? Most people you will coordinate with are health professionals and who better to say you have headed off a potential disease than these folks. You can go to job interviews and tell everyone that you "learned your lesson" but you need to prove your sincerity. If you do the research and give several lectures, you will have accumulated quite a list of references who can say you have made a complete turn around and righted a wrong. You need to step up, own the problem and take action to correct it. As it is now, I wouldnt trust you to fly a 30-million dollar jet with the decisions your making; would you? Dont give up on your dream. How quickly you turn this around is up to you.

Hope it helps.

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

two weeks ago? you dont have a dui yet, not till you go to trial and cop a plea, man

get the best attorney money will buy and a nice suit, if it's a first time, cnances are you'll get off scott free (less a few grand, of course)

if you do get one...there's plenty of night time 135 joints that'll let you fly checks and parts....they wont look at your past if you dont look at their present..if you know what i mean

 

[surplus1]

Remember Pres Bush had a DUI and ended up leading the free world. Good luck.

And his buddy Cheney had two DUI's and he's the Veep. Whether or not they're "leading" the free world .... that's a matter of opinion.

In any case, management is allowed to sin for they have the power to forgive themselves.

It's a handicap but it can be overcome if you stay clean from now on. Don't give up trying; do give up drinking and driving.

 

[erj-145mech]

As stated in a previous post, were you convicted? No conviction, no DUI. If you were convicted, the worlds not over, just more difficult.

Something else that nobody has brought up yet. If you were found guilty in court, then you have a responsibility to report this to the FAA within a given time period. There have been licence actions taken against airmen for failure to report alcohol driving convictions.

 

[WSurf]

Even if you aren't found guilty you must report to the FAA! If your licensce was suspended after your DUI you have to send a letter within 60 Days to the FAA about the suspension. Also you will have to disclose on your medical about it.
Good Article in a Flying Mag. about a guy that wasn't convicted of a DUI and didn't disclose to the FAA and on his Medical. Led to a 30 Day Suspension of Medical and License.
Don't sweat it too bad.... The First one is kinda like a Freebie. The next was you are toast.
Get a good Lawyer like the above said. Even if he is pricey it will be worth trying to get out of the DUI, but don't forget to self-disclose about it.
http://asi.faa.gov/duidwi/report.htm

 

[climbhappy]

Bush snorted Cocaine too....


I beleive if you have a pulse, you can get a job in this business. don't sweat it.. just do the best you can, take what you get, and move on.

 

[~~~^~~~]

Aww heck. It is a set back. It is not the end of the World. Don't let the folks on this board (90% of us probably have driven drunk and just not been unlucky enough to get caught) convince you that it is over. If convicted, then you will have to go through a program to meet the requirements of the FAA to keep your Certificate in full force and effect. Lyle Prouse retired from NWA after taking his whole crew on a dirinking binge in the airport bar. He recently retired as a NWA Captain. In the US we still have a society that believes in redemption and in aviation they have some very good programs to help.

In fact, a FO I flew with got a job at Continental because of the contacts he made while in rehab - go figure.

Anyway, if you want to fly, don't take yourself out of the game. Get a good attorney, if you are in Atlanta, Alan Armstrong, or Randy Hawk (who is also Counsel for Phoenix Air). Having someone with both criminal and experience with the FAA will assist you because they can explain to the Prosecutor why this is particularly important to you - something often gets worked out. You might want to also make some contacts at Angel Flight. Prosecutors and Judges will be impressed if you are using your piloting skills to benefit the community and will be inclined to help you keep your Certification clean. Also, Angel Flight is a fun way to build time in a semi - 135 environment where you have "customers" and a schedule to keep and it looks good on your resume for the airlines.

Take lemons - make lemonaid

P.S. A few years back I was best buddies with a VP of Marketing for a Beer distributor - I will admit, I just got lucky.
P.S. Wsurf has some good advice in his post above, as do others.

 

[Diesel]

Way to go idiot. No really having a couple of beers was really a smart thing to do and get in a car. What if you'd killed someone? Oh that's right you didn't. But how many times did you drive drunk before you finally got caught?

Went to canada this weekend with a guy that had a oui. They wouldn't let him in. It was a lonely ride home for him. (We kept on going) Canada doesn't mess around.

I'm not going to wish you good luck. You're screwed... if your smart you'll get a lawyer but i doubt youll allready do that since a bunch of time has passed.

Diesel <----A guy who's fraternity brother got killed by a drunk driver.

 

[~~~^~~~]

Way to go idiot. No really having a couple of beers was really a smart thing to do and get in a car. What if you'd killed someone? Diesel <----

Have you ever flown fatigued? According to studies, the risk is the same with the edge going to the guy who drank the beer.

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

Way to go idiot. No really having a couple of beers was really a smart thing to do and get in a car. What if you'd killed someone? Oh that's right you didn't. But how many times did you drive drunk before you finally got caught?

Went to canada this weekend with a guy that had a oui. They wouldn't let him in. It was a lonely ride home for him. (We kept on going) Canada doesn't mess around.

I'm not going to wish you good luck. You're screwed... if your smart you'll get a lawyer but i doubt youll allready do that since a bunch of time has passed.

Diesel <----A guy who's fraternity brother got killed by a drunk driver.

for someone whose Current Position is "shifting gears and drinking beers" them are some harsh words, man....

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Way to go idiot. No really having a couple of beers was really a smart thing to do and get in a car. What if you'd killed someone? Oh that's right you didn't. But how many times did you drive drunk before you finally got caught?

Went to canada this weekend with a guy that had a oui. They wouldn't let him in. It was a lonely ride home for him. (We kept on going) Canada doesn't mess around.

I'm not going to wish you good luck. You're screwed... if your smart you'll get a lawyer but i doubt youll allready do that since a bunch of time has passed.

Diesel <----A guy who's fraternity brother got killed by a drunk driver.

harsh but I gotta agree...

we should be WAY past the driving drunk thing at this point. Look how much time and money you spend getting to a certain point and you are goin to toss it away for a few more beers?

I know no pilots who drive drunk anymore. It just changes the way you party..a beer or two at a rest or bar OK but after that back to someones house, etc...or a designated driver/cab...no exception. Its a lifestyle change.

What was once thought of as a "mistake" or "well, we all do it but you got caught" simply isn't anymore. DUIs as a pilot make you look like an alcoholic. Makes people ask...

 

[Palerider957]

Listen bro' I was a big city cop for six years before I went to work in aviation. I handed out TONS of DUI's. Believe me half of the world has a DUI, and the other half just hasn't been caught.

DO NOT go to court and plead guilty--you take it up the a$$ if you do. Get a good DUI attorney and completely explain your situation. He will go to the prosecutor and try to get it reduced to a reckless or failure to control, or perhaps even dropped with some significant community service. If you attorney has any juice at all, he will be able to work a deal for your (a good attorney will costs some $$, but that's what it will take, this is not the time to shop for bargains). If you refused to blow at the station, or tested very high, you will likely have to fight this in court.

If the prosecutor won't play ball, then your attorney will have to subpoena the BAC machine logbooks, officers training records, and get VERY specific info about the arrest, field testing, etc. You'll have to decide if you want a jury trial or a judge trial.

Having said all of this, there are plenty of pilots with DUI's. ASA has a few guys with several. Hell, the head of pilot recruiting is reported to have THREE DUI's (of course her plumbing is differren't than yours).

This is a setback, but not the end of the world. Don't listen to anyone who says it is.

 

[Diesel]

Believe me half of the world has a DUI, and the other half just hasn't been caught.

Never ever have i driven after drinking more than one beer. And that one beer is usually with a meal. I live in the city for just this reason. I have friends drive me home or I call a cab if i'm outside the city.

G200 is right its a lifestyle choice but it's also being a professional.

While offering this idiot advice on how to minimize the impact is okay. Telling him it's no big deal or that we all have one is not.

We'd all be singing a different tune if this idiot killed someone. Then the article reads "pilot kills family in drunk driving accident"

 

[Palerider957]

Jesus, Gulsfstream and Diesel are willing to throw the first stone. Apparently they have NEVER made any mistakes. I'm sure they never drove drunk, ever.

Gulfstream, you say you don't know pilots who drive drunk?? Are you kidding? It used to be all the rage to pound beers at Malones, then head back to training--a pretty poinant memo took care of that. I have seen plenty of drunk, falling down pilots at bars all over the U.S.

Pilots are just people, and people make mistakes. I am not defending this guys actions, and he does need some kind of sanctions to remind him. I think the anguish of career damage is enough.

I gave a guy his FOURTEENTH DUI once, he was just another bum who didn't care if he got anohter DUI. It didn't really impact his life, other than a brief jail sentence, he just didn't give a fu.ck. I'm sure he is drinking and driving today.

The point is that you want to correct the behavior--that's why they call jail "corrections." If this guy has only this one incident in his past, then I think he will have suffered enough mentally, and financially.

Peace out.........

 

[CapnVegetto]

Everyone saying to go to corporate, etc. is wrong bigtime. Corporate is almost completely out for you for at least a few years. Why? INSURANCE. With a DUI, it's going to be very difficult, if not impossible, to get you insured in an airplane. I've seen this first hand. The first 91 job I ever got, they had a guy hired before me, and was all set to come on board, but he was denied by the insurance because he had a DUI 5 years ago.

It will go away to an extent, but it will never go away completely. It's a stain, unfortunately. I've always told students, etc. whatever you do, DON'T get a DUI. You'll probably find something eventually, so don't fret, but it's going to take a LOT longer and be a LOT more difficult. Just keep working at it.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Jesus, Gulsfstream and Diesel are willing to throw the first stone. Apparently they have NEVER made any mistakes. I'm sure they never drove drunk, ever.

Gulfstream, you say you don't know pilots who drive drunk?? Are you kidding? It used to be all the rage to pound beers at Malones, then head back to training--a pretty poinant memo took care of that. I have seen plenty of drunk, falling down pilots at bars all over the U.S.

Pilots are just people, and people make mistakes. I am not defending this guys actions, and he does need some kind of sanctions to remind him. I think the anguish of career damage is enough.

I gave a guy his FOURTEENTH DUI once, he was just another bum who didn't care if he got anohter DUI. It didn't really impact his life, other than a brief jail sentence, he just didn't give a fu.ck. I'm sure he is drinking and driving today.

The point is that you want to correct the behavior--that's why they call jail "corrections." If this guy has only this one incident in his past, then I think he will have suffered enough mentally, and financially.

Peace out.........

what are you stupid? we are talking about NOW, today. What does arresting some bum for his 14th DWI have to do with this Barney Fife? drunk pilots falling down in bars all over? what???

read what we wrote. No, pilots DONT drink and drive anymore. I dont care what happened years ago. To do so today either shows you have a drinking PROBLEM or you are plain stupid. Either one wont get you hired man. Whats the first thing a pilot does today when caught drinking?...he goes to rehab and keeps his job. Thats an acceptable route AFTER you have a good job and an employer who will rehab you. Job hunting for a good job with a DWI? entire different game.

Im not saying it was not unfortunate, and yes we know what it will cost him. But people dont view DWIs as "mistakes" anymore. sorry.

thats why we are giving advice - he asked for it.

to say "eh, it happens" and move on with a career in aviation with a recent DWI is stupid. Go hand in your cert's today and persue other fields while you are young. If you cant qualify for the top jobs, dont bother. Yup, everyone knows the exception who makes it through -- you want to bet your career on that?....or maybe sit at some low end job for 20 years b/c of getting nailed on a dumb DWI years ago? hey, enjoy that.....

sounds pretty ignorant.

The advice is overwhelming -- get a good lawyer, get out of it, or just get out.

 

[Texx]

Voytek-

Have you spoken with A dang GOOD LAWYER about getting out of it? Some of them can work wonders just if they can find a loop-hold based upon your specifics.

Good luck to you, and keep your head up. You're not the first, and you won't be the last to do this. I just hope you learned your lesson.
-w

You are also required to report this to the FAA and report it on your next medical. Check the regs for the specifics.

 

[FN FAL]

Listen bro' I was a big city cop for six years before I went to work in aviation. I handed out TONS of DUI's. Believe me half of the world has a DUI, and the other half just hasn't been caught.

DO NOT go to court and plead guilty--you take it up the a$$ if you do. Get a good DUI attorney and completely explain your situation. He will go to the prosecutor and try to get it reduced to a reckless or failure to control, or perhaps even dropped with some significant community service. If you attorney has any juice at all, he will be able to work a deal for your (a good attorney will costs some $$, but that's what it will take, this is not the time to shop for bargains). If you refused to blow at the station, or tested very high, you will likely have to fight this in court.

If the prosecutor won't play ball, then your attorney will have to subpoena the BAC machine logbooks, officers training records, and get VERY specific info about the arrest, field testing, etc. You'll have to decide if you want a jury trial or a judge trial.

Having said all of this, there are plenty of pilots with DUI's. ASA has a few guys with several. Hell, the head of pilot recruiting is reported to have THREE DUI's (of course her plumbing is differren't than yours).

This is a setback, but not the end of the world. Don't listen to anyone who says it is.

Definitely good advice on the "get a good dui attorney" thing, but note that some states have laws that require prosecutors to prosecute every DUI arrest, no matter how weak the evidence is. Those laws remove all discretion from the prosecutors regading DUI arrests.

 

[Palerider957]

what are you stupid? we are talking about NOW, today. What does arresting some bum for his 14th DWI have to do with this Barney Fife? drunk pilots falling down in bars all over? what???

read what we wrote. No, pilots DONT drink and drive anymore. I dont care what happened years ago. To do so today either shows you have a drinking PROBLEM or you are plain stupid. Either one wont get you hired man. Whats the first thing a pilot does today when caught drinking?...he goes to rehab and keeps his job. Thats an acceptable route AFTER yo have a good job and an employer who will rehab you.

Im not saying it was not unfortunate, and yes we know what it will cost him. But people dont view DWIs as "mistakes" anymore. sorry.

thats why we are giving advice - he asked for it.

to say "eh, it happens" and move on with a career in aviation with a recent DWI is stupid. Go hand in your cert's today and persue other fields while you are young. If you cant qualify for the top jobs, dont bother. Yup, everyone knows the exception who makes it through -- you want to bet your career on that?....or maybe sit at some low end job for 20 years b/c of getting nailed on a dumb DWI years ago? hey, enjoy that.....

sounds pretty ignorant.

The advice is overwhelming -- get a good lawyer, get out of it, or just get out.

Dam.n I feel like I'm arguing with a 14 year old. What should this guy do? Kill himself? He made a common mistake, and he'll pay for it--believe me, he will.

You talk in absolutes--"No pilots don't drink and drive anymore." Do you even work for an airline? How can YOU talk for all pilots? Sweeping statements are the sign of a poor intellect.

Your statements that he will get stuck in a low-end career for 20 years because of a DUI are simply not accuarate. I can only believe you are not very experienced to think this.

You seem to have a bone to pick, I suggest you do it in a field that you know something about.

I'm done with this thread.

 

[nonstop]

It's probably the best thing that could of ever happened to you. Turn your back on this stupid ass career and never look back.

In 10 years, when most likely you will have banked what it would have taken 20 years at an airline, take a drive by the airport. Roll down your window and have a laugh at us stupid ass airline pilots standing at the curb in our polyester waiting for the Holiday Inn Express van.

No I'm not kidding.

Congratulations man, you're free!

 

[FN FAL]

I have 700 TT and 100 Multi and I just received DUI a week ago...

What was the BAC and what was the officer's reason for pulling you over?

 

[Palerider957]

It's probably the best thing that could of ever happened to you. Turn your back on this stupid ass career and never look back.

In 10 years, when most likely you will have banked what it would have taken 20 years at an airline, take a drive by the airport. Roll down your window and have a laugh at us stupid ass airline pilots standing at the curb in our polyester waiting for the Holiday Inn Express van.

No I'm not kidding.

Congratulations man, you're free!

This is probably the best piece of advice on this thread.