Regional to Major with a DUI?

[N813CA]

What do you guys think? I was talking to another flightinfo member about this. My friend is at a regional and got a OWI and he is in his mid twenties. If he learns from it and keeps his record clean for the next 5-10 years will a major look at him for hire? I say yes, he says no.

 

[WSurf]

You still at Comair?

 

[BEfly]

another "I got this buddy" story.

 

[Way2Broke]

If your buddy wants it bad enough nothing will stop him from chasing his dreams. You can't win if you don't play. I say send out the apps and see what happens. Just remember luck and timing are everything when it comes to scoring that dream job. Well, that and who you know and your skills.

 

[say again]

No, you're ("buddy") stuck at the regional level for life

 

[Lost]

Absolutely, and tell him not to let anyone say otherwise. It makes a tougher road, but with some time gone by and lots of hard work, it will all work out. There are regionals that will hire him, where he can bust his butt and let some time go by to distance himself from his mistake.

 

[BigPappa]

Yes he will get hired.

 

[N813CA]

It really is my friend. Nobody knows my aviator so I do not know why I would lie. I was just curious what you all would think. Thanks for all your insight.

 

[N813CA]

WSurf-

Yeah I am still at Comair...

 

[rickair7777]

Since he's young, I'd say there's still a chance but he will probably need to hit the wave at the right time. If he tries to get a major job during off-peak hiring there are just too many pristine applicants in the stack.

But the odds aren't great...your friend should probably consider carefully whether he is OK being a regional lifer. If not, he should get out now rather than wait 10+ years to find out that he's stuck.

 

[BOX OFFICE]

I know someone who got fired from ASA for dutying in drunk. He's gone through AA, got his licenses back, and is working at Spirit now. That must be worse than a DUI.

 

[RP170]

I know someone who got fired from ASA for dutying in drunk. He's gone through AA, got his licenses back, and is working at Spirit now. That must be worse than a DUI.

Are you serious? What's that say about Spirit? Dutying in drunk. Come on. That guy shouldn't touch an airplane again with passengers on it. There's stupid and then there's STUPID!

 

[BOX OFFICE]

Are you serious? What's that say about Spirit? Dutying in drunk. Come on. That guy shouldn't touch an airplane again with passengers on it. There's stupid and then there's STUPID!

So everyone who's ever screwed up should be banned for life?

The guy was an alcoholic. He got right, repented, and someone saw fit to give him a second chance. He hasn't touched a drink since. He learned a valuable lesson the hard way.

Spirit actually wasn't the first airline to hire him after his return. He went to a regional after getting his licenses back, then went to Spirit

 

[bluefishbeagle]

What do you guys think? I was talking to another flightinfo member about this. My friend is at a regional and got a OWI and he is in his mid twenties. If he learns from it and keeps his record clean for the next 5-10 years will a major look at him for hire? I say yes, he says no.

Why NOT??? You can smoke dope and still run for president.

 

[RP170]

So everyone who's ever screwed up should be banned for life?

Under a circumstance like that, yes, I believe someone should be banned for life. Call in sick if you have to and go get help if you have a problem that's preventing you from going to work sober. It shouldn't get to the point that someone shows up to fly an aircraft drunk before they realize they have a problem and have to get help.

 

[FastJP4]

There are many in the majors that have had something of that nature happen. He's young, and while never going away - it will fade with time - kind of like the professional pilot salaries.

 

[WSurf]

Yea, 5-10 years from now airlines will be so hard up they will take convicted felonys to fly planes.

Yep, I can see it now..... Convicted felons and Illegal aliens flying all the planes.

 

[Soverytired]

It will be an uphill battle, but he still has a shot. When majors are in "super competitive" mode, it's going to be tough, but in lean pilot times, he can still make it.

Better not do it again though. THAT would be the kiss of death.

Best to start working on becoming an otherwise exceptional pilot. Check airman, instructor, chief pilot, ALPA rep, the whole nine yards. Just being a line pilot with a DUI ain't gonna cut it anymore.

Also . . . I believe it's mandatory that all DUI's are reported to the FAA. And no, this didn't happen to me (one of the few things I haven't screwed up, eh?), but I've seen enough alcoholics in my time to get to know a little about this.

 

[N813CA]

Thanks for the advise. He has all ready told the FAA and that is taken care of. Well I see most saying that over time and a lot of hard work he can still move on with his career. I guess if you look at the first message of this post that I was correct. He does have a chance. Thanks again.

 

[PBRstreetgang]

It will simply qualify him for a Chief Pilot position.
PBR