Originally Posted by
SuperConductor
As long as we can all be nice about it, I need some input.
I got in some minor trouble when I was younger. In the early 90's a DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired). Not "Drunken Driving" but alcohol related nonetheless. I had two other much smaller 4th degree misdemeanors around the same time. In 2001 I left the occupation I was in based on how unfulfilled it left me feeling. I decided to be an airline pilot. I had to go back to college and do all my flight training, from scratch. I started at age 32. I did well both in college and in flight training. I never failed an FAA written, or check-ride. I graduated with honors from an aviation program. During the process, I worked 30 hours a week, so it took a longer than I'd expected. Finally in 2008 I emerged a shiny new flight instructor, right into the jaws of a ravenous "Great Recession". I was stranded as a flight instructor for almost 4 years.
Late last year I was recruited into a regional airline jet training program. I felt lucky that the airline didn't hold my distant DWAI against me. They said, "That was, what, 2 decades ago??" I felt compelled to divulge it nonetheless. A word of caution to those hoping to out-wait a DWI offense report on your background check; I was lucky I told them because it still appeared on my FBI background check 20 years later.
Training was not easy. It was probably the most difficult thing I'd ever done. At the very end, I washed out of the training program at that regional airline. It wasn't a disaster though. I learned what the word "Anchor" meant when the training staff washed my partner out half way through the sims. They said, "We can tell you're dragging an anchor, so we're going to split you two up." Two days later he was gone. I continued, but it still put me behind. I never really was able to catch up.
As of today, I'm 42 years old and over $110,000 in student loan debt. One of my three student loan lenders sent me a court summons last month. I'm being sued. I was already working against a DWAI from two decades ago. Now on my applications I have to explain that I was "washed out" too. I owned my washout at the only airline interview I've been to since. Still didn't get the call.
So much about this occupation has changed since the day I decided to become an airline pilot. Chesly Sullenberger's address to congress very well summarizes it. No need to elaborate. Thundering off to pursue my occupational dreams appears to have very well destroyed my life. If I have to "do something to correct for my washout", I'm done. I'm not going to waste another year of my life flying some light charter op. as a display of punitive penance for my "training sin". I know I'm not broken. My past training record proves that. I know I would kick butt at any training course now, especially if it were on the same type. I need "fast forwards", not "move back two spaces" in my life right now, but they just don't appear to present themselves. Sorry about the violins guys, but properly illustrating my feelings is critical too, I guess.
Sorry about the length of my story. What do you suggest?
The aviation profession is not what it used to be. It has, however always been a risky proposition. Part of that risk is that training and checking is objective and variable from one examiner to another, one airline to another. The risk was easier to justify when the compensation was double what it is today. Sounds like you are on the backside of the risk curve.
Some of that risk you voluntarily and willingly accepted, the DUI. Also FYI, there are no "shades of DUI" in aviation, either it was alcohol related or it wasn't. No such thing as "DUI Light" for us. But given that it was 20 years ago, a singular event, and you have a good record since, I think it will have minimal impact. there are always going to be a few companies who "just say no" to DUI, but most should give you fair consideration. And yes, anything that get's on your FBI record will stay there (even if if it expires or gets expunged in the original jurisdiction).
Do you have SJS? If not, maybe try for GLA, GIA, Cape Air, etc. They may be somewhat more forgiving of past transgressions. You could take a quick upgrade, get your 1000 TPIC and then move on to big regional for glass/jet time if desired. If the "pilot shortage" materializes, there's a very good chance you could get hired by a major with just turboprop TPIC.
But what's your goal? Major? Jet Regional?
Looking on the bright side, Your two problems are not related to one another so they can considered separately. Two DUI's would kill you, as would two 121 training washouts.
When you talk to future employers you need to come up with a good reason as to why you failed, take full responsibility, and have a plan to avoid a repeat situation. It's possible that you really did get a bum deal, but you CANNOT use that as your excuse...the employer will assume that you are just blaming others for your own failures. Don't blame the airline, the sim, the instructors, or your sim buddy. If it really was not your fault, better make up a fictional reason why you failed that will be acceptable to an interviewer (marital trouble, sick family member, etc).