Background question
 

Long time lurker here with a background question.

I already have a PPL, but I also have a misdemeanor charge that has been expunged. The charge was back in 1992 FWIW.

My goal is to be employed as a pilot one day and I was wondering if the charge will be an issue for hiring. It wasn't a DUI. Id be happy to share more details if need be.

Thanks in advance!

If it's expunged don't delcare it. I highly doubt it will appear on your background from 1992.

Pull a copy of both your state and federal records. That will let you know what your potential employer will be able to see. That being said, even if they did know about it, unless it was something horrific, I'm pretty sure you'll be able to find a job.

I wouldn't worry about a misdemeanor from 1992 with the current hiring environment at most regionals. The majors would be a different story, but I know United has hired applicants with DUIs in their past.

Regionals fine.

But majors might have a higher standard, and might put more effort into researching your background.

The real question here is do you disclose it? Honesty is generally the best policy, because if you get caught lying you're probably done for good in 121.

But the nature of the infraction matters...public drunkeness in HS/college that long ago would be a non-event. Something like shoplifting would be more serious, but if you were very young and addressed it properly at the interview it would probably be OK.

Drug possession would probably be something you could get over. Drug dealing or any sort of violence would be a big deal if the employer found out about it.

If the issue is more serious, you might need to fall back on the letter of the law which may allow you to not discloses an expunged event. You have to make that call.

If at all possible, be honest. Better to lose an interview or two than get fired from a job after they find out.

Also...when applying to regionals keep in mind that some are wholly-owned or have flow agreements with majors. Anything you disclose or don't disclose could come to haunt you later, assuming WOs share info with their major partner.

Another thing to consider is, if the misdemeanor was associated with an actual arrest then FBI records will tell them when where and why, and you had better tell them first. The expunged part might stay a secret otherwise, a lesson learned in the distant past, but the arrest may bring it out anyway. If you are sure there is no arrest record and the other sources mentioned above are clear, it remains a gamble whether or not to disclose it. Honesty is the best policy in general, but bear in mind some companies are not asking because they are so ethical and moral it's legal and liability reasons, so if you are not bound not tell by way of an expunging, then they themselves would rather that you not tell about it. On the other hand, if you have dependents and really can't afford to gamble with their future I would go the disclosure route and hope you still get the job.

Thanks for all the replies, here is some more details. It is a misdemeanor charge for possession of stolen property-:(. I was never arrested or taken into custody or even fingerprinted for that matter.

Gave full cooperation with the investigating authority, wrote a statement, went to court and was given 14 day community service. I was 18 at the time, legally an adult but sure as heck was not acting like one.

I make no excuses for this and I take full responsibility for it, wish I never did it and FWIW been "clean" ever since.

Too add, it is on my rap sheet. I have confirmed this. I will not lie and will willfully disclose it. I assume you get fingerprinted when you enter most it not all aviation jobs? Or sign an FBI/DOJ release?

I wouldn't be too concerned. You will be fingerprinted for part 121 as part of your background check.

I had a misdemeanor for a fake ID back when I was also an adult who was not acting like one. It was prior to my military service and had ten years of separation prior to getting hired. This is nothing that 100% honesty and humility can't take care of.

^^^ great advice ^^^ Dishonesty has cost more guys jobs than 23 yr old misdemeanors. Good luck man.

Ok...1992 was 22 years ago. Background checks are usually 10 year. I think you're good!


atp

I realize I am a little late to the party on this but I'd still like to throw in my two cents.

Shouldn't this always be the case if that is what the law says? I've heard people suggest to "always disclose EVERYTHING on the app no matter what," but in reality if by law you are not required to acknowledge an arrest, and have gone through the rigid list of requirements to have said record removed, then why report it?

There's a lot of bias out there that the expunction process is for people "working the system" to shove all of their black marks under the rug, which isn't hardly a reality in my home state. Now I can't speak for the majority of states but I have several good friends who work in the legal system in my home state (Florida) and this topic comes up from time to time at the usual social events. In order to apply for an expunction you have to meet a list of requirements (if you were found guilty then forget about it) and in the final stage it goes before a judge, who can deny the request at their discretion. They don't exactly hand those out like candy.

I'm sure it varies by state, but a simple google search reveals the expungement statutes in my home state and you only have to disclose that information in certain cases such as seeking employment in a public school, law enforcement agency, applying for purchase of a firearm, etc...applying to work for an airline is not in that list.

My thoughts on this are A) if you have a mark in your past then seek legal advice before applying and B) if the airlines have a problem with individuals choosing to not disclose certain information, as dictated by the LAW, then maybe they should go to Congress and ask for an exemption that requires an individual to disclose that information anyway.