SuperFudd

I have a few questions from you guys that I've been trying to find out other places but have been getting no where. I am considering going back to school to become a pilot but I fear that my background may prevent that. The first thing is that about two years ago, I was arrested for indecent exposure. The charges were dropped, but I now have an arrest record. Would that prevent me from ever becoming a commercial pilot?

The second situation involves the military. 9 years ago, I was in the Air National Guard and the night I got home from Afghanistan, I wrecked a motorcycle while intoxicated. I wasn't arrested, but the military did find out. I was forced to enter into an Alcohol Program which I failed because I refused to admit I was an alcoholic (which I'm not and haven't drank since, just made a stupid mistake with friends). I remained in the ANG until I was honorably released two years later. Are my military medical records available to be scrutinized and would this situation 9 years ago prevent me from becoming a pilot?

I'm really interested to know what my chances are of ever being hired before I spend a lot of money to go back to school. Any help/advice would be appreciated!

RidinNFlyin

These are things that I would put down on your applications once you become a commercial pilot and I'm sure you'll have a chance to explain them during your interview, but neither of these things will keep you from becoming a pilot. Everyone makes mistakes. Some people more than others. DUIs are definitely bad, but it doesn't sound like you got anything from the motorcycle accident. Nothing on your driving record from it. The regionals ate desperate already and there are guys flying with DUIs in their background. If it is truly something you want to do, go after it and don't look back. Just try to keep your record as clean as possible from here forward.

Flyguy4723

I feel like since it was 9 years ago they wouldn't care as much. As long as you've been good since then I wouldn't think you'd have a problem.

JohnBurke

Your military medical records aren't going to be reviewed.

You were honorably discharged, and you have a DD214? No problem. That's as far as any line of questioning will go in an interview, and outside of that, nobody cares.

Did you hold a security clearance and did your actions impact your clearance? If so, then it may impact some jobs you might seek as a commercial pilot, but not many, and if that's not you, then it's doesn't matter anyway.

If you weren't arrested, didn't face charges, didn't have any action taken against your driving privileges, then the matter isn't really a matter of record. Not a record which is applicable to a FAA medical application or employment application.

The issue of the indecent exposure is something that will come up, but I very much doubt it would ever be something that would prevent you from being hired, and it certainly wouldn't impact your ability to hold a medical or to get your pilot certification.

An arrest record is not a conviction record, and indecent exposure might make more of an icebreaker than a deal breaker.

sourdough44

Back in the day I've heard of a guy getting 'indecent exposure' for going potty outside, while somewhat visible. Of course there is the gamut of possible offenses with the charge.

Neither sound like insurmountable issues. The further in the past, and the more you work to distinguish yourself, the better.

MaxThrustPower

I'd love to be like everyone else telling you this is all fine, but I have some concerns about how this all might come back to bite you later if you're not careful.

First, I caution you that if you want to succeed in seeking a commercial pilot career, you must be absolutely honest and forthright about these issues when they come up with a potential employer or the FAA. People can make mistakes and have skeletons in their closet, and oftentimes these things can be overlooked or forgiven. But being dishonest by omitting details, twisting the facts, or of course a direct bold-face lie will quickly get you disqualified and may well lead to disciplinary action from the FAA. The most important thing is that you're able to talk openly about the issue and tell how you've learned from it and grown since then.

First, about the "indecent exposure," I'd like to hear a little more about the circumstances and how you plan to address it with job interviews. Yes, I've also heard of people getting arrested or charged with "indecent exposure" for ridiculous, minor situations. However, this will almost certainly come up. Many employers may ask you about your ARREST record as well as your CONVICTIONS and it would likely show up in a thorough background check. Also, keep in mind that one of the requirements for holding an Airline Transport pilot license is to be of "good moral character." I've read that conviction for FELONY offenses would certainly raise a red flag for that but not sure if there might be concerns from the FAA about a wider pattern of previously undiscovered sexual misbehavior, psychiatric problems, or substance abuse related to that arrest. I would wager that very few pilots come to their airline interview or ATP type rating ride with an indecent exposure arrest in their background. I'm not saying it's a deal-breaker by any means. But I would reserve judgement at this point about how it might affect you. So it's your turn to tell us a little more about what happened and how you would address this.

Even more than the "Indecent Exposure" charge, I have a much larger concern about your motorcycle accident under the influence. I have a storied past with alcohol myself, have been supervised by my company's HIMS program (the FAA-sanctioned program to return pilots with substance abuse problems to the cockpit), and am 100% abstinent and sober today. So I'm very familiar and in-tune with the FAA pulse when it comes to alcohol issues, not only from my own background but many other pilots I have known.

Over the past ten to twenty years, the FAA has been increasingly tightening their questioning of pilots about their alcohol use, especially when it leads to any sort of consequences. Many pilots today are in the HIMS program due to circumstances that 30 years ago, the FAA or the airlines would not even have been aware. Early intervention has become a major focus. I believe the FAA medical form 8500 hasn't changed in a long time regarding medical history questions #18n and #18o (18n: Substance dependence or failed a drug test ever; or substance abuse or use of illegal substance in the last 2 years.) (18o: Alcohol dependence or abuse.)

Prior to 2008, I believe the FAA only asked about prior DUI CONVICTIONS in question #18v. However, since 2008, question #18v is now a VERY long and complicated question with many subparts that are potential legal "gotcha's" if you don't read it very carefully. And if you answer it incorrectly, and contradictory information EVER surfaces that you did, you just got caught lying on a government document. The FAA will be none too pleased.

Question 18v:

"History of:

(1) any arrest(s) and/or conviction(s) involving driving while intoxicated by, while impaired by, or while under the influence of alcohol or a drug; or

(2) history of any arrest(s), and/or conviction(s), and/or ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION(S) involving an offense(s) which resulted in the denial, suspension, cancellation, or revocation of driving privileges OR which resulted in ATTENDANCE AT AN EDUCATIONAL or REHABILITATIVE PROGRAM."

The question doesn't say the "adminstrative action" or attendance at an educational or rehabilitative program had to be directed by your state department of vehicles or by a civilian court. It could also have been directed by the military. So, in your your case, whether or not you were arrested, or charged, or convicted of DUI, your description of the events indicates to me that you should respond YES to part 2 of this question to be completely truthful. Keep in mind what I said about not being completely forthright and honest with the FAA above. They aren't fooling around. I've seen it.

Now back to your original questions. Are your military medical records available to be scrutinized? No, at least not at this time, at least as far as I know. In other words, you seem to know there is incriminating evidence in your military medical records that might raise questions with the FAA and an airline. And let's be honest, you would like to hide it or pretend it didn't happen.

Is it possible that the FAA could find some way to access them later if they continue to increase their oversight of pilots who aren't disclosing pertinent medical information? Absolutely, if they wanted to. The FAA is part of the government and your military medical records are government records. It is certainly possible that they could include any of that information in their reviews at some point, even if they have to ask for a release form signed by you. And if they ask, what are you going to do, tell them no?

Also, outside of your medical records, does this incident show up anywhere such as on performance reports, military orders, etc? Were you hospitalized related to the accident? (If so, you'll also have to disclose that hospitalization in qestion #18u.) Were there police reports? Even if you weren't arrested or convicted of DUI, were you given any tickets by the police? Did you lose on-base driving privileges? How many people know about this accident and your failure to complete the treatment program you were mandated to attend? If you choose to answer "NO" to question 18v, will you wonder if one day the information will come out anyway and you'll have to disclose it all?

Personally, I wouldn't want to live with this skeleton in my closet. You're much better off to voluntarily disclose it just to be fully forthright. Then, there can be no later accusations that you intentionally misled them. And it would probably not lead to any further scrutiny anyway, even if you do disclose it, as long as there are no further occurrences and your alcohol use is not ever a problem again.

Keep in the mind the statements on the bottom of the FAA Form 8500: "Whoever in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States knowingly and willingly falsifies, conceals or covers up by an trick, scheme, or device a material fact, or who makes false, ficticious, or fraudulent statements or representations, or entry, may be fined up to $250,000 or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. (18 U.S. Code Secs 1001; 3571.)

I know this is some heavy information to swallow, but I felt I needed to give you my honest assessment. I don't think an airline career is out of the question for you, but I would advise you to be very careful about how you proceed.

Best Wishes.

NatGeo

Becoming a commercial pilot is definitely a young man's game. You can only work for the major airlines until you are 65 and that is only if your heart/ other medical status check out.

Given the commitment, work, and money that it takes to get an airline commercial pilot job, I would not recommend it. The majority of other careers have a much better return on investment. Most other jobs have a better quality of life in terms of time spent with your family. The hiring market for pilots looks good now but that could easily change with the next war or terrorist act.

If you have a true passion for flying then the thing to do is fly for fun on the weekends and slowly advance in your ratings. Once day you will have enough hours and credentials to get a part time commercial pilot job.