Old 08-21-2018, 06:38 AM
  #3  
rickair7777
Prime Minister/Moderator
 
rickair7777's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,306
Default

Re. the FAA...

Read questions 18(v) and 18(w) VERYT carefully. Answer them LITERALLY, do NOT attempt to "read into" the meaning of those questions.

Based on what you said, I think you can answer no to both unless there was a vehicle involved.

Re. the airlines...

You'll most likely be fine after a few years, even if they do find out (assuming you keep a clean record). They will ask questions on the application and in person. Most folks with industry experience will tell you to answer them LITERALLY and honestly.

You should generally NOT answer questions they did not ask. Reason being, these days they are typically limited by labor laws (varies by state) about asking certain questions about your criminal history. There are some questions they might like to know the answer to, but can't ask directly. But if you volunteer the info, they might consider it in their decision (even if they're not supposed to).

Interview are not "confessional", you don't have to (and should not) "come clean" about everything in your background unless they ask.

However... there's one time when you might want to come clean at an interview. If you have a serious background issue (serious felony, politically sensitive crime), you might want to get that out in the open up front. Otherwise they might hire you, and then possibly fire you after the background checks turn up the issue. Then you've already quit your old job, and just gotten fired from an airline, which is PRIA reportable. Might be better to not get hired in the first place, then to quit the old job, start training, and then get fired. This would only apply in an unusual case like a serious crime which was expunged but still searchable in the media, or something like a #METOO accusation. If it's ugly enough, they'd probably fire you and deal with any lawsuits rather than risk having your name associated with their brand.
rickair7777 is offline