Alcohol Arrest History- Career Pilot
12-19-2011, 04:24 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2011
Posts: 3
Alcohol Arrest History- Career Pilot
I'm 29 years old and considering a career switch into aviation. I began flying when I was 23 but never finished my private (this was in college), I love flying and have always thought about doin it as a career. With that said, while in college I was arrested 4 times for alcohol charges, 1 DUI and 3 PI's (none within the past 3 years). This sounds bad, but the town I went to schoool in was notoriously bad on arresting kids walking home from parties (which sounds like an excuse but I would never try and excuse that.) I never drive after so much as one beer now and am very careful when drinking at all. My question is: Does this history blow my chances of being a career pilot out of the water?
12-19-2011, 04:46 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: Chris's Closet
Posts: 485
It's going to make it difficult for sure. As for regionals, forget about AE. RAH, Skywest, Compass, Pinnacolaba, PSA, and ASA/XJT are unlikely but not impossible. GoJet, TSA (if they ever hire again) maybe.
Did you go through any kind of substance abuse treatment program?
Did you go through any kind of substance abuse treatment program?
12-19-2011, 06:40 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: Admiral
Posts: 729
Unfortunately, I think your past (mitigating circumstances, or not) will haunt when you apply for an airline job. There may be other flying gigs out there, but you will still find it difficult to be marketable. The airlines already frown upon seemingly simple errors of judgement such as a few speeding tickets within a 5 year window. Viewing it from the airlines perspective, they need to trust you beyond a reasonable doubt if they are to put you upfront in a several million dollar aircraft, with countless lives on board.
12-19-2011, 07:10 PM
#6
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,406
Not a good track record at all. Any way I slice that the risk looks too high to invest the time and money in attempting an aviation career.
You would have trouble even getting an FAA medical...if you even think you want to give this a shot, start by getting a first class medical.
It might be different if it was 30 years ago, but three years? That was like yesterday.
You would have trouble even getting an FAA medical...if you even think you want to give this a shot, start by getting a first class medical.
It might be different if it was 30 years ago, but three years? That was like yesterday.
12-20-2011, 05:03 PM
#7
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2011
Posts: 3
I went through a program after the DUI, but nothing that would satisfy the FAA. I need to have an evaluation done from a substance abuse specialist for the medical but cannot find any information from anyone on what this entails (is it an expensive shrink or a social worker??) The FAA gives me the runaround on it.
I would at least like to finish my private pilot even if I don't go further. Thanks for the insight, even though it is discouraging.
I would at least like to finish my private pilot even if I don't go further. Thanks for the insight, even though it is discouraging.
12-20-2011, 05:32 PM
#9
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,406
I went through a program after the DUI, but nothing that would satisfy the FAA. I need to have an evaluation done from a substance abuse specialist for the medical but cannot find any information from anyone on what this entails (is it an expensive shrink or a social worker??) The FAA gives me the runaround on it.
12-20-2011, 05:35 PM
#10
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,406
I don't think majors would be an option, I think you would be faced with a regional career at best and even that's iffy.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
