No matter how someone might wish / try to avoid discovery of their past, the reality is that there is often some record, retrievable in a data base, that will disclose previous arrests. Some insurance companies, for example, track things in their own databases much like consumer credit bureaus do. Other governments, like Canada for example, access alcohol violations and will stop a driver at the border if they've had a DUI within the last few years, and refuse entry.

As I've said repeatedly in this thread, a single incident such as a solatary DUI 10 years ago with no record of arrests is one thing. It suggests that the individual made a mistake, and has mangaged him/herself well since then, and it is reasonable to assume that there will not be any further risk out of the ordinary.

There are a small but significant number of individuals, particularly in the yourger generation and in a disfunctional culture, where there is a record of two, three, or even four arrests, for things like:

...disorderly conduct, underage alcohol, DUI, or reckless driving, resisting arrest, possession of marijana, retail theft, etc, often over a period of years.

Quite obviously, in those sorts of cases, this paints a picture of an individual who not only has poor judgement, but who disregards the law; hardly traits that are equated with success as airline pilots. The fact is these matters build a reputation that tends to follow someone around for a long time, and they may well close doors to certain opportunities. Sad to say, they may not realize it at the time, but chances are good they were counseled. Most individuals make it through puberty and young adulthood without ever facing arrest for something other than a minor traffic stop. An arrest is not a "normal" occurance or right of passage. It is an unfortunate circumstance by any measure.

If we agree that we all can make mistakes and learn from our mistakes, it would be reasonable to assume that as evidence of having learned from that mistake we would not see additional run ins with the law. In other words, we all deserve one chance at correcting ourselves. And we hope that's just what the background checks are going to show....

But again I say to those young people reading this or contemplating a career in professional flying...despite jailhouse lawyers, money, and talk of expungement....be aware that your actions and decisions will follow you around, and may lock you out of career choices that you are only now beginning to contemplate, or perhaps have yet to envision.