Originally Posted by
fly2
A couple of questions on airline apps. I had an incident a few years back (2002 to be exact). No damage to the plan or anything else. The FAA gave me a letter (forget what the official name of the letter is) saying that if I talked to the an FAA inspector about what I did nothing else would happen (no violation). In hindsight I should have fought it because I believe I could have got off without anything. The FAA said the letter would be on my record for 2 years and then gone. Is an incident kept for that long as well or is it 5 years? I have a request in with the FAA for my record but just wanted to see what everyone thought. Also, I'm thinking about going to the airlines now. I know the question is "have you even had an incident or accident?" If it's not on your record should you put it down? I've talked to FAA people and other airline pilots who were all close friends and not obviously going to say just answer the question truthfully. Some have said if it's not on your record why bother putting it down. What are your opinions? Thanks.
If it was a warning letter, than yes, it will stay in your file for 2 years and then be removed. You can do a check of your record to be sure. If you did, in fact get a warning letter, then it is not an accidnent or an incident. Or so I was told when I got mine. Now the tough part, they ask any accidents/incidents? Most will then ask, are you currently under investigation by the FAA? Followed by, have you EVER been under investigation by the FAA? If you did get a warning letter, you probably were under investigaton. Did you ever recieve a letter/telephone call informing you of such?
Honesty is the best policy. Tell them the truth if it comes up. Don't get defensive or hostile. Tell them you screwed up, you learned ALOT from the experience and you are a much better/safer/more competent pilot because of it. Works great for an interview story. Don't worry, it more than likely won't be a show stopper.