Sort of. There's no one answer, different airlines have different philosophies and more importantly are headquartered in different states... which have different labor laws.

The trend has been to ask less about arrests and stick to convictions (within the limits of state law).

But federal jurisdiction prevails, so they will ALWAYS be able to ask about SIDA disqualifying convictions... obviously no point at all in hiring someone who the TSA will not clear for SIDA. But SIDA is convictions not arrests. So the absolute "hard deck" on criminal history is the SIDA list, within the specified time period.

Now with that said, if state law allows they might very well ask about arrests at the interview. In that case you will want to:

1) Have an explanation (not an excuse). Short, succinct, take FULL responsibility, tell them what you learned, how you've changed and then SHUT UP. Even if it really was the cop's fault not yours, DO NOT go there. If you try to tell them anything different, that will just confirm their default suspicion: that you are in fact the manipulative sociopath that your record hints at. Basically you have to throw yourself at their mercy.

2) Expunge everything you can. I still wouldn't lie if asked. Airlines may still see it but an expunged record is less likely to become public in the event of a high profile accident. I know at least one guy who got a CJO but the condition was that he had to get a minor infraction from years ago expunged before they gave him a class date.

3) You could also research state laws for any airline which calls you. That at least will give you an idea what to expect (although it's possible they might push boundaries where pilots are concerned).

But they have another trick up their sleeve: The Uncomfortable Silence...

"So, is there anything else you'd like to tell us about your background?" Now a panel of 3-4 folks are just staring at you. You're going to be really tempted to tell them something they didn't ask for... Don't.

They didn't ASK if you had any arrests (maybe because state law says they can't can't). But there's certainly no reason they can't consider that if you tell them of your own volition.