A buddy of mine is 28 years old and just started training for his PPL at a small FBO in our area. Just got laid off from his long time gig as a lineman (fiber optics) and plans on getting PPL, then going to community college for Associates and going from there. Unfortunately, he got a Reckless Driving suspension 5 years ago at age 23 on his motorcycle, but has had a clean record since then and before that. He also recently got his Commercial Drivers License this year. Is this a death warrant for a career in aviation? I understand the industry and how bad it is, and so does he... but every industry is getting really bad these days... so please try to keep it relevant. Thanks all

 

The TSA list of disqualifying crimes only applies seven years back, and reckless driving is not one of them anyway. So no problems with the government.

The good news is that he was young, it was a long time ago, it was an isolated incident, and it was a "victimless" crime. Generally this means the airlines may grill him about the incident, but will not likely hold it against him. There is plenty of gouge out there about how to deal with this sort of thing at an interview...read and heed it and he will be fine.

As a motorcycle guy myself, I know how easy it can be on certain bikes to just twist the throttle and go from legal to moving violation to reckless in about one second...I think most interviewers would understand this on some level also. Unlike shoplifting, burglary, etc he did not wake up that morning intending to commit a crime.

 

Because of the industry trends you mentioned, one never knows whether an old reckless driving record will prevent one from making the cut, and I have to go with rick.

The important thing for you friend at this point is to understand that this suspension will need to be reported on his medical application (question 18(v)).

The consequences of failure to report are far greater to a potential career than the old offense)

 

Thank you guys for the great info. He really appreciates it.