Southwest nightmare

[mvi]

Heys guys, please help. This is the worst day of my life. I was offered a conditional offer of employment a while ago and today they called and said the process is terminated. I have no idea why and they will not tell me. Have you ever heard of this and why it might happen. Please let me know.

THanks

 

[Sleepyhead]

Usual reason is they found something in the background check that did not agree with what you told them on your app.

 

[airlinepilot]

More Details?

Can you give more details, interview and DB date....completion of all background checks etc?

 

[mvi]

interviewed Feb 11th
DB march 13th
I thought the backround check was done and finished about a week after.

Their wording was the DB has reviewed your paperwork and has decided to terminate your hiring process. Was I supposed to list every traffic ticket I ever got eventhough I can't remember 20 years ago.

 

[RJones]

mvi,

I'm curious...from your recent reply it sounds as though you didn't list all your traffic violations. I know when they did my background check they got the wrong person at the DMV in Wisconsin and they called me asking what's with all these DUI's and traffic violations. As we examined this report over the phone they realized they had the wrong report and ran me again with the correct information and found that indeed I had put down on the application the correct information.

Also, I noticed that you got your type after you interviewed, did you receive the letter stating you had six months to comply...did they except you after your DB. Just trying to understand.

RJ (jetpltrich)

 

[airlinepilot]

You might want......

To get a copy of your National Drivers Record to make sure it is correct. I had a problem with a credit report that had a Ford Motor Credit Repossession....and I have never done busy with Ford Motor Credit....If you get it and find a problem I would then send a copy to Jennifer or whoever you were doing busy with.....good luck

 

[FearlessFreep]

I definitely think that you deserve an explaination. If they have already given you a conditional offer of employment they better have a very good reason why they have turned you down at this point, especially if you had to go through the expense and time to get a type rating.

This really smells... bad. It is sort of like being convicted of something that might not be your fault and you are unaware that anything is wrong until the guillitone falls.

You have nothing to lose, get on the phone and insist, no demand that you know why. If they will not give you a straight answer then they are hiding something, maybe some sort prejudice. You may be able to find that this is some sort of paperwork glitch like these other people have proposed. Go for it, stand up for yourself. Tactfully.

 

[mvi]

mvi,

I'm curious...from your recent reply it sounds as though you didn't list all your traffic violations. I know when they did my background check they got the wrong person at the DMV in Wisconsin and they called me asking what's with all these DUI's and traffic violations. As we examined this report over the phone they realized they had the wrong report and ran me again with the correct information and found that indeed I had put down on the application the correct information.

Also, I noticed that you got your type after you interviewed, did you receive the letter stating you had six months to comply...did they except you after your DB. Just trying to understand.
After looking at the ap again it says anything that you broke the law including drugs bla, bla,bla. Well, I didn't report any traffic violations but I don't think there are any on my record. I had a speeding ticket 6 years ago but took the class so it's not on my record. The only other violation happend over 12 years ago and I can't remember them anyway. Can't Southwest only get what we can get from the DMV or criminal checks? Thanks. If they caught me in a lie though, why would she say I can reapply after two years?

RJ (jetpltrich)

 

[chase]

mvi

I do know of persons who were approved by the DB but were later notified they weren't eligible to be hired. It was solely due to the fact things were omitted (inadvertently) from their background info. In this case it was beyond the 10 year window and actually beyond 20 years. In fact the individual was on his 2nd look after having been hired the first time. Events led up to where he didn't remain with the company but he got a 2nd chance & filled out the app exactly as he did the first time but in each case he neglected to put a minor violation down. Since it got through the first time he thought he'd simply put the same info down the 2nd time....bad decision.

ALWAYS PUT EVERYTHING DOWN and explain each event. If you can't recall the events then get your records yourself & find out in advance if there are blips on your past, correct or incorrect. Ditto on credit checks & other background info. I'm sorry it didn't work out but a phone call to the PD so you can follow up to the appropriate agencies to determine if there is a case of mis-identification. You can still re-apply from the 2nd yr anniversary of your 1st application if you so desire. Best of luck & I hope things work out in your favor.

 

[qxeplt]

RJ,

After looking at the ap again it says anything that you broke the law including drugs bla, bla,bla. Well, I didn't report any traffic violations but I don't think there are any on my record. I had a speeding ticket 6 years ago but took the class so it's not on my record. The only other violation happend over 12 years ago and I can't remember them anyway. Can't Southwest only get what we can get from the DMV or criminal checks? Thanks. If they caught me in a lie though, why would she say I can reapply after two years?

Do I understand correctly? Did you get a call too?

 

[Checks]

When we say minor incidents are you guys referring to speeding tickets from 15yrs ago? How does the airline get that type of information? I am wondering if I need to do some serious legwork on past speeding violations because to be honest I dont remember all that many details from 10yrs ago. Whats the best way to check for "blips" on my record?

 

[qxeplt]

Conditional Offer???

I didn't think SWA sent out the of conditional offer until the primary background check was complete. Like many have said in the past about getting a phone call saying "your board went fine we are just waiting for the last of the background check." I was under the impression the letter goes out after it's all complete. So why after 4 month from now are the revoking their offer? And only one or so months after completing your type?

 

[mvi]

Re: RJ,

Do I understand correctly? Did you get a call

too?

Yes, they called to tell me this horrible news.

I received all the proper paperwork and call from Jennifer about 2 months ago. A couple of references received calls about 2 weeks ago. I wonder if they had anything to do with it.

 

[ILS JNKY]

back ground

Just how far back do they go when searching DMV records?

was pled down to careless driving 17 years ago?

 

[qxeplt]

DMV Records

I was told by the DMV most employers and insurance agencies only ask for a 3 year history. However, they can ask for an entire records check and that goes back who knows how far, that depends on the state you are dealing with.

 

[RJones]

mvi,

I am somewhat confused about these turn of events. I did an NDR check on myself which didn't reveile anything that would preclude me from getting hired. Yes, I did get a letter saying I had six months to get the type, I went right out and got it, then I got a letter saying I was in the pool and that the background check is on-going.

If you didn't put something down on the application that I suppose could be a disqualifier.

RJ

 

[qxeplt]

Confused

RJones,

Did you get the same call as mvi? I'm confused if both of you got calls today?

 

[RJones]

qxeplt,

"Did you get the same call as mvi? I'm confused if both of you got calls today?"

No, I didn't get any calls. I'm just trying to understand what happend, maybe come to some sort of reason why this occured to mvi.

According to my sister, who's a police officer, the state will, after a few years, "purge" the computer that stores driving record data and put that info on microfiche. As she explained it the computer gets too much data and can't hold it. She also stated that the amount of time the data computer will be "purged" depends on the state. She also stated that if you have any DUI's, suspensions, and any traffic violations that are extreme, failed to get that definition, it would show up on the NDR.

RJ

 

[mvi]

I still don't know how this is happening. Before everything I did a check on myself because I've heard of tickets or arrests coming up that didn't happen. My record was clean but I think these internet backround checks only go back 7 years. I did have an open container on a beach about 10 years ago. Will this come up? Their backround check must be different than the ones we ourselves can obtain.

 

[flyinhard]

When I went through my airline interview, not southwest, they told me that they would know more about me then I knew. They told me to lay EVERYTHING out on the table cause they would find it. Straight up, if there is something that you did not tell them, they will find it. The driving record they told me was back 10 yrs and the background check was also 10 yrs. I had a minor in consumption many years ago and I told them about that, they did not find that though. Kind of interesting. Food for tought, good luck and call them to find out what went wrong. Don't be a jerk about it though. Just make it sound like you want to correct what you did wrong so you can become a pilot.

PS Another friend of mine did his own background check before his interview and found out that he was not paying child support for the last 5 years. Suprising, he never had a child. Someone had stolen his social security number off his checks and used it, which caused him to show as being a deadbeat dad. Good luck!

 

[RJones]

mvi,

I also want to ask, did you take the opportunity to check your FAA file. I had a friend who was the chief pilot for Grande Air for many years ask this very question of me, this after I'd filled out the online app. So I did an accident/incident inquiry and come to find out that indeed I had an incident on my record...I was shocked. Although this incident was a system malfunction that resulted in an injury to my copilot and no violation, I had absolutely NO idea it was on my record. So when I filled out the pre-interview application I stated that I had an incident, provided a copy of the letter from the FAA, and also provided a brief description of what had happen. Now if it hadn't been for my buddy asking me that I'd never known and who's to say what the outcome would've been.

RJ

 

[StarrBuck]

MVI,

Few thoughts for you. Firstly you mentioned the open container issue. Did you mention the open container on your paperwork? I suppose that you did not, as it appears that you did your own research and concluded that the record didn't exist? Secondly, is there a place on the application that requires you to admit to such an infraction? I just skimmed over the "supplemental pilot information" form and didn't see anything that would require you to disclose that kind of info. I'm curious if on the app anywhere it asks for this type of information.

I do think that it is very strange that they would have found this type of info this late in the game. It is probably a bit late for this, but food for thought, somethings may be better off not discussed on this board (I know it is a EXCELLENT source of refrence, and there are some truly great people who contribute to it) but I bet all of us would be suprised by who reads what is said here. Anyway, just my worthless 2 cents!!!

S.B.

 

[Mr.Aviation]

MVI:

I would hire an lawyer and sue these PFT bastards for the cost of a type rating. When are you people going to wake up and smell the Kool-aid?

 

[JimEjet32]

MVI here's a couple of suggestions!

Here's my suggestion, speaking from experience.

I need to be brief because I'm flying in an hour.

1. The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the right to find out exactly what SWA found out in your background check without you needing to contact SWA. The company that did your background check is US Investigations, their number is 800 888 1735. All you'll need to do is is tell them you were denied employment and they have to disclose a complete report of you they turned into SWA. That's your base line to find out if any criminal or civil public records info turned up.

2. If that turns up any info you did not disclose that could be described as negative. Well, if it's factual, your pretty much out of luck. However, if it's in error, the Pilot Records Improvement Act gives you the right to submit a counter statement to the information. You basically have a right to speak your side or present the real facts to Jennifer or SWA.

3. The final possibility which you will not be able to prove, which was my case, is that during your background check someone bad mouthed you! And I know SWA holds that aspect near and dear to their hearts. All I can suggest, if that is a possibility, you need to figure put who it is, and try to work things out for the future. I'd like to help you out more, but gotta run.

Privately email me and I'll be happy to tell you how I got around all that stuff!

Good luck brother...

 

[LearAv8r]

MVI:

Sorry to hear about what has happened to you. It is absolutely unbelievable......

I am curious as to if SWA told you "to go out and get the type in order to proceed with the hiring process" or if you got the type on your own.

I find that hard to believe that they would tell you to go and get the type and then a few weeks later change their minds.


Man, I hope this is not a start to a trend.....





LearAv8r-

 

[sentry]

that has got to hurt !!

 

[mvi]

No, SWA told me to get the type. I received the letter telling me I had 6 months.I got the type, faxed it to them. Jennifer called the next day and told me that I'm in the pool.

 

[Boz]

MVI,

Man, I am sorry to hear about your ordeal. After reading the last few pages it seems that you have filled out the application correctly, and you have jumped through the hoops necessary to get hired by SWA.

What you really need to get done ASAP is run a very thorough background check on yourself. Don't rely on the cheap internet self search to get the job done. You need to hire a professional and do it right.

It is going to cost a few bucks, but once you have all the information the facts will speak for themselves. Keep in contact with SWA and try getting the reasons for you not continuing with your job at Southwest.

I suggest you go over the SWA application with a fine tooth comb, make sure you answered every question correctly. If you have done no wrong then you find yourself in that 737 someday. Hopefully you can present a case to SWA that they have made a mistake, and need to allow you to continue on in the process. I am hoping that they have made a mistake in identity, and that your troubles find some answers real soon.

Take care brother!

 

[canyonblue]

I did have an open container on a beach about 10 years ago. Will this come up? Their backround check must be different than the ones we ourselves can obtain.

Had a friend get "hired" at Northwest a few years ago with the same infraction. His was settled in court and told case dismissed.
He did not put it on his app and NWA later found it and recinded the job offer 6 days before ground school.

 

[shagadelic]

MVI,
This definitely sucks and I do feel for what you have gone through. For all of you guys who think that a speeding ticket 15 years ago matters; it does NOT. They do not have a super secret computer that can dredge up such stuff. What you can get yourself is all they can get. If they find a DUI that you didn't report then yes, you have a problem. If they find a speeding ticket 10 years ago that you didn't report, then no you don't have a problem. This is not United. Something small like that will not terminate your process.

SWA is very careful about how they word their offer of employment. Until the chief pilot calls and offers a date, you are really just "continuing the process". For that matter, no one is truly "on-board" until they pass their probation check after their first year and gain the coveted union grievance protection.

The fact I find interesting about this is your references were called a couple weeks ago. A better question to ask yourself is whether there is someone working at SWA who has reason to believe you would not make a good SWA pilot? I hope you find out what happened, as this has to be a monumental disappointment. Good luck.