Badgeman

I was wondering, how far back exactly do the background checks at HR departments go? Let's say, at a regional airline? I was reading some of Cheryl Cage's material and it said, "Bring copies of driving records from every state you've ever been licensed in [to an interview]" I have some traffic violations from another state I lived in for a few years, way back in the early 90's. One of the violations was a misdemeanor. Are they actually gonna want records from THAT long ago, assuming they still exist? What about arrest records? How far back do they go. I got a "trespass" and a "resisting w/o violence" about 12 years ago. That was in the state of my current residence.

Lastly, like a fool, I reported this (incident 12 years ago) on my first FAA Medical questionnaire. Will an HR department have access to this record?

Thanks guys

rickair7777

Three separate issues...

The official federal background check (required by TSA for all airport employees) goes back ten years. A specific list of crimes applies, and any of those crimes are disqualifying within ten years. I'm not certain if the airlines get a pass/fail or an actual list of convictions, or how far back it goes. From what I have gathered I suspect they get the full list from the FBI files. Keep in mind that the FBI may not delete records expunged at the state or local levels. For national security purposes, they only care that it happened, not what legal maneuvering came after the fact.

A private background checks is often (usually) done by airlines. This could employ an outside agency, in which case there are legal limitations on what info can be reported...I suspect many airlines go this route. However if an airline wants to do their own background checks (with their own employees, not an agency) they can look at anything they like if they are willing to spend the time and money to dig it up. They may use any of this info in their hiring decision, unless otherwise excluded by law (ie sexual orientation in certain liberal states). This is where they will look at credit reports, lawsuits, and former employers.

The FAA medical thing might be an issue also. An airline could require you to sign a release to obtain a copy of your FAA medical file. You could probably find out in advance when you apply to a specific airline.

Generally, honesty is the best policy, unless you like lying awake at night worrying about what your employer is going to dig up that you forgot to tell them.

Badgeman

I agree. I think I should just come clean about the stuff that happened 12 years ago. I mean it's not that bad. Guilt by association more than anything else. I was hanging with a group of boneheads. But I must admit looking back, I could have been smarter about it. As for the traffic stuff nearly 20 years ago, I think the only thing they'll learn about me if I voluntarily divulged it would be....what happened "20 years ago". I don't think it's substantial enough to call applicable.

rickair7777

Time heals all wounds, especially if you were young at the time. I had a variety of speeding tickets in different states (junior military officer + porsche), I don't have details of them all, so I just say that there was an approximate number over a long time frame, and that none of them were reckless or DUI.

PerfInit

Please see:

Requesting PRIA Records

Everything you ever wanted to know about Pilot Background Checks under the "Pilot Records Improvement Act" aka "PRIA"....

flywithjohn

Sealed or Expunged information is never removed from NCIC or FBI Database. Keep in mind if your were arrested and not finger printed the record will not be attached to your finger print in the FBI database but your social and DOB will show it in the NCIC. Records are never automatically deleted you have to pay an attorney about $700.00 for each county you committed an offense in to have something sealed/expunged. Keep in mind that Sealed/Expunged records are still visible to law enforcement agencies. However airline use private firms and cannot access a sealed or expunged file. Just be honest with what you did wrong. Chances are if 10 years has passed it will be over looked. The airline is simply looking for people who won't lie if they happen to make a mistake. Ass long as you didn't have a DUI, DWI, Reckless Driver, Endangerment and your offense was only a Misdemeanor and not a Felony you should be perfectly fine. If it make you feel better I have a past record of 2 speeding tickets, 1 failure to appear in court, disorderly conduct and tresspassing. After that I went on to become a Deputy Sheriff and finally a Airline Pilot
-John

rickair7777

This only addresses the required checks with your previous pilot employers. Good-to-know info, but it has nothing to do with criminal history, credit history, or non-aviation employers, all of which can come up on your background check.

Badgeman

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately this only tells me how to get a background check if I'm a Designated Agent (aka: an airline wanting a background check on a pilot). Did I miss something? Sometimes I do.

Post edit:

Opps I now see that rickair7777 also picked up on that.

Badgeman

Ever heard of a DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired)? It means you were not over the legal limit, yet I was still issued a citation for driving with alcohol in my bloodstream. Legal limit was .01, I was .008. I attracted the attention of a cop driving behind me while I struggled to light my cigarette with a match. I had lost my lighter earlier that day. I'm sure having had a few beers at the time didn't help my driving dexterity. Anyway, THAT'S what happened almost 20 years ago. An attorney's website in the state it happened in says,

"a DWAI violation stays on your driving record for at least 10 years, and will also generally show up on a criminal history check for the rest of your life."

...Even though as I am finding out, it's not even "criminal" offense. This could also be a scare tactic being used by the law offices to get you to come to them. Also, this happened almost 20 years ago. Who knows, maybe this is a new development in this states law that it be handled that way.

What background check services do most airlines use? Other than FAA's FBI file thing.

Phantom Flyer

WOW...what a dirtbag. There is no way you're going to get hired by anyone to fly anything !!

JUST KIDDING.

From what you've posted, my suggestion would be to be honest about everything. There is nothing in your background that is a "show stopper" and coming clean will show an honest, up front approach, which I believe will serve you well.

Before I interviewed and ultimately got hired, with a major, a close friend who already worked there told me "be honest and tell them everything about your background. Don't try to hide anything because they'll find it".

Good advice in my book and Good Luck Mate