Originally Posted by
anima
For the airlines... would a diversion be treated the same as a conviction?
Assuming an arrest for DUI, yes.
Airlines have two concerns with DUI/Substance issues...
1. The Obvious: They are afraid you might show up for work drunk. You're going to have to convince them you won't, regardless of the final disposition of the case. The only exception might be if the court issued a finding of actual innocence based on evidence that you in fact did nothing wrong and it was all a mistake (this is very rare). "Not Guilty" usually means guilty, but couldn't be proven to the required standard...and everybody knows that. This why DUI arrests are so bad...you pretty much had to have been drinking a significant amount to get arrested, and that's not good judgement even if your BAC is still barely legal.
2. Not So Obvious: In the event of an accident, the pilot's background will be heavily scrutinized by media and plaintiff's attorneys. This sort of background history will not be good for the airline's reputation or prospects in the lawsuits.
They might give you a little leeway in the sense that a diversion might be less likely to come to light to the media, or will not provide as much courtroom ammo as an actual DUI conviction.
I know a guy who had weed possession on his record. One time thing, the airline said they would hire him but he had to get it expunged first (which he did).