nigelcobalt

I would say you've got about a 10% chance of getting on with a regional. Interviewers would eat you alive about your past. And you'd have to tell them everything. Having ONE dui is usually the kiss of death for 121. Plus having a felony will surely block you. If you do pass the interview, it's still conditional. They do a 10 year (fbi style) background check, and anything that comes up, they'll ask you to leave. A guy in my new hire class got pulled, because something 'fishy' came up on his background check.

It sounds like you've got it all figured out now. Why rock the boat? What do you want to get out of aviation? To be honest, you'll be away from home, on overnights with crewmembers who will probably try and get you to drink again.

As far as Canada, I hear you. Nobody really wants to go there, but unfortunately we have no say in the matter. Canadian overnights go junior at my airline, and you'd be doing 'em.

With the cost of training, I'd say its too risky of an 'investment'.

jedinein

If you are an AOPA member, (and you should be, free 6 month membership for student pilots), give a call to their medical division and ask the questions. They have a very good set of of folks there that are familiar with haunted histories and how to overcome them. Get AOPA's legal plan, another tiny amount, and get in contact with a lawyer and ask the lawyer if expunging would be the best course of action. These are things to do BEFORE you let the FAA know about your past and desire to become a pilot. Also, get in contact with an AME (aviation medical examiner), jetcareers.com has one, who can tell you what would be needed with each item on your "been a bad boy" list and how things might be different if they were expunged. If you do have a series of events to disclose (and the aviation lawyer will say on the expunged ones), get in contact with Virtual Flight Surgeons (VFS), and have them walk you through the process of applying for a medical and being able to clear Canada's requirements. You may have to go through HIMS (a substance abuse recovery program), even if the problems were in the distant past. It may also be in your best interest to wait another few years, saving up even more, then starting. VFS will take out what could be multiple rounds of back and forth and make it just one set. They'll also be able to tell if you do have a chance.

You already have two strikes against you, why start out with three? Do your research WITHOUT contacting the FAA and giving them your name, rank, serial number, and so on. Learn now that the FAA is NOT your friend and there are many inspectors who would like nothing more than to keep punishing you for events in the past. While there are a few good FAA guys out there, many many more are not. Read the story of Bob Hoover's medical certificate if you need more justification to keep from contacting an Inspector.

Don't even bother to think about failing to disclose information when you do apply for a medical. That will end your career and probably put you in the federal pen for awhile.

It may be that the Sport Pilot certificate is the way to fly, and becoming a Sport Pilot Instructor is a way to make some money doing it (don't expect to live off of Sport Pilot Instructor income though).

Good luck!

MUFAZA

As a law enforcement officer I have to tell you that you do have your work cut out for you. There will be lots of explaining to do and re-living of your past. The airlines and other flying companies will check deeply into you background and it will present difficult questions. As a pilot, I will tell you to go full foward and put yourself out there. Every company is different and they do not all think alike. I commend you for changing your life and I hope you celebrate it with pursuing your dreams!

Planespotta

It did get pretty productive, didn't it?

Wow...not too many people would spill all that stuff out, so kudos for that.
Put yourself in an interviewer's shoes...you could maybe let a few isolated incidents from one's past slide, but all that? I'd honestly give you a shot, but many people would see repeated offenses like that as a character flaw. Check out the average "pilot" personality here:

http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/r...070820246.html

That being said, good luck, and there's sure to be someone out there who will recognize how you've changed, what you've overcome, and be willing to give you a shot, although you may have to look for a REALLY long time. I'd guess you wouldn't have as much trouble landing the average instructing job as you would a 135 or 121 gig. You can't screw up ANYTHING from here on out, though. Don't speed, do stupid stuff, etc.

If a company puts you on a flight to Canada, that's where you're going. Not "wanting" to go there won't matter.

TPROP4ever

Am I the only one who thinks the words "SPILLOVER" and "URINE" should never be used in the same sentence...lol back to the topic at hand

Planespotta

Any updates or decisions?

jared4271987

I'm 99% sure the UA is during a medical is for diabeetus. Hiring companies are usually the ones to worry about the other part of UA.

I did at one point have a student pilot training for his private who had 2 felony drug convictions. Long story short, he didn't get it. They would never issue a medical because of all of this and it took place about 8 years prior to training. This was after I told him of his chances but he insisted on flying still just in case, after about 5k for his training and 2k in expenses brought on from trying to convince the FAA that he was a better person, which he definitely was. But a huge problem with the FAA and many other "agencies" is that they do not care one bit where you are but where you have been will break deals.

Not to make it sound harder for you, but be aware that there is a possibility of wasting a good chunk of money if you aren't issued a medical. Best of luck!