Were you hired with one D.U.I. ?

[LAX Airport]

Have any Pilots ever been hired with one D.U.I on their record?
I would like to know this before I start training. I am a IT Professional looking to be a Commercial Pilot. (Regionals or Majors).

Thank You in advance for your help. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Palerider957]

I know of a few pilots hired with a DUI in their background. I think recency is importaint (was it last Tuesday) and have there been any other occurences.

Expect to talk about it in any interveiw, and be humble. I would just tell the truth, you made a bad judgement and you've paid for it.

I was cop for 6 years before I was a pilot, believe me, half the world has a DUI.

Good luck!

 

[LAX Airport]

It happened back in 1996...That was the only time it happened.
Thanks for your words of encouragement.

Good Luck Palerider!

 

[larry]

With that and an IQ of around 95 you could be president!

 

[stingray]

Its possible I also know of 2, theirs also where a few years ago.
Both are currently Captain's at their companies, in the regionals.

(if asked about it) Like the previous post be honest about it, and admit it was a mistake, and that you have learned greatly from it.

Fly Safe

 

[Draginass]

When times aren't very competitive (i.e. lots of hiring) there may be a chance at a lower tier company. Most of the time, however, the supply of great pilots that don't have stupidity and bad judgement documented on their records is pretty good. Great pilot with DUI vs. great pilot with clean record . . . hummmm . . . which do you think is going to get an interview?

 

[AZaviator]

The above posts are very accurate. I instructed with a guy at my previous job, for over a year, and he had a DUI from about 6 years back, and just got hired on with a smaller regional.

Again, the further it is behind you, the less of an issue it will be, but do be expected to discuss it, and provide as much info on it as you can.

 

[B190Captain]

It's definetly not a plus to have a DUI, thats for sure. I tend to agree with Draginass on this. If you have a DUI you will not be very competitive when you have 1000 other candidates with clean records.

As for Palerider, I must be part of the other half of the world that does not have a DUI.

 

[Kmedchill]

If flying is something you really want to do dont let a DUI stop you. You can make it the worst thing, or the best thing that has ever happened to you. Explain to the interviewer how it quite possibly saved your life, the fact that you dont drive drunk anymore or changed your whole outlook on your future. The bottom line is that if you go to an interview and try to lie, or blame it on the breathalizer or the cop ect, they will laugh. I know people who have made it, but be prepared to talk.

Good luck

K

 

[bobbysamd]

DUI

The airlines want saints. They also hire pilots with DUIs. The longer ago it happened the better for you. By the time you are ripe for hiring it might be eight or nine years since the rap. And it will have happened before you started flying. People can learn from their mistakes.

You should be sure to run a complete driver records check to see what's on your record. Maybe do it now and do it when you start applying for jobs to determine if any information drops off. There was another thread on driver records on which someone wrote that you can request a lifetime driving record. According to the post, this document will turn up all violations you've had since you started driving. Also get your National Driver Register file. With this information in hand, you can prepare answers to any app or interview question.

With all due respect to Palerider957 and his former profession, I find it hard to believe that 50% of all drivers have had a DUI or DWI. That seems exagerated; if true, no wonder the roads are so insane anymore!!

Good luck with your plans.

 

[B190Captain]

Nicely put Bobbysamd but you understand my point. Alot of hype has been brought by the press about pilots and alcohol when those AWA pilots got popped. I don't think many HR departments are fond of finding that on a applicant's record.

I am not saying stop trying but I am telling it like it is in most cases. Just be sure to be ready to explain yourself.

 

[Floyd94]

I personally know at least three people that had DUI's and were hired by 121 carriers. If its what you want to do, don't let the DUI thing stop you... go for it.

 

[Singlecoil]

There was a guy at a major last summer that made it through the sim and the board interview and was about to be hired. The company was going through the background check and found that he had a DWI that he didn't report. When they looked more closely at it, they realized that it happened the same day of his board interview. Didn't get hired.
There is certainly some steam to blow off after an interview, but that's a good lesson for all of us.

 

[bobbysamd]

On being Calpurnia

Alot of hype has been brought by the press about pilots and alcohol when those AWA pilots got popped. I don't think many HR departments are fond of finding that on a applicant's record.

Excellent point. But not everyone is like Caesar's wife. Few people have sailed through life with a pristine record. You've lived very little if you haven't found yourself in at least one scrape here and there. It's called life experience.

I realize that a DUI/DWI/DUAI is not a "scrape." In our poster's case, he has to prove that it's an isolated incident and has lived an exemplary life since. The more distance he can put between his DUI and his ambitions, the better. Above all, you have to be honest and confess. Even if your driving records are clean. But don't admit any more than you have to. Follow the instructions on the app. If the app says "driving convictions in the last ten years," that's all you have to list. You may be asked about more at the interview; at that time you must say more if you have more.

Singlecoil's story is bizarre. How could anyone blow such an opportunity?

 

[Singlecoil]

Re: On being Calpurnia

How could anyone blow such an opportunity?

No pun intended, I'm sure...

 

[bobbysamd]

Re: Re: On being Calpurnia

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by bobbysamd
How could anyone blow such an opportunity?

No pun intended, I'm sure...

Nope. But I see what you mean. Couldn't think of another way of opining on how one could waste the interview of one's life.

 

[Palerider957]

Yes, I was exaggerating when I said "half" the world has a DUI. I thought that was obvious. What I meant to infer was that a surprising number of people from all walks of life have DUI's...some more than one. I know of two pilots at Comair and one at ASA who had DUI's in their past. Another factor is going to be any other violations in a pilots past--5 speeding tickets? Juvenile record? Etc., etc.

Don't let one screw up years ago stop you from pursuing a career. The other bits of advice this thread are good, be prepared to talk about it, taking full responsibility for your actions.

As for B190 Capt., as I read your posts through this website, your comments constantly drip with arrogance, lighten up dude....a 1900 ain't the space shuttle.

 

[B-J-J Fighter]

I have a "friend" who was hired by the military with a DUI. My friend is 27 and it happened 11 yrs ago when he has 16. He got pulled over by the police for failure to maintain lane b/c a cute h.s. girl was smomking his hog and he was having hard time maintaining his lane. He said is was a very expensive blow. My friend leaves for OCS in May 03. He cant wait either.

 

[bigD]

He got pulled over by the police for failure to maintain lane b/c a cute h.s. girl was smomking his hog and he was having hard time maintaining his lane.

He had trouble maintaining his lane, huh? The way I see it, either the girl was really really good at it, or really really BAD at it!

 

[B-J-J Fighter]

My friend remembers it being very good, I think all those early teen blows were good no matter how lousy the girl is. Its like a new toy, its hard to get bored with it when its new.