awsims33

Hey guys

I started flying at age 14. Got my private license at 18 and went to a diploma mill in Florida for the rest of my ratings.

While there, i failed 3 check rides. I left there being very dissatisfied with my instructors and the examiners at the school. (1 bust was multi-private and 2 was instrument multi)

I was 18 years old and inexperienced in life. I didn't put in the effort to prepare for them and when you add that to inexperienced and frankly bad instructors it was a recipe for failure (the first time i saw an ILS Back Course was during my check ride under the hood... and my examiner failed my #1 Nav - Was a fun checkride) I know not to place blame on anyone else and to show i have improved and learned, but for conversation sake i wanted to be clear about why my record is so bad.

I came home and finished out my training here. While home i failed another ride. Again 18 years old and this one was entirely my fault.

That was 10 years ago. When Congress passed the new 1500 hour law i had a few airline interviews but hiring was slow and a 4 bust 500 hour pilot wasnt the top of anyone's list.

Since then i have completed my B.S. In aviation technology and have worked as a VP of Business Development in an insurance firm.

Lately i have had the itch to change my career to my initial dream of the airlines.

My question is... Now that they cant seem to find enough pilots - If i were to show up with 1500 TT, 300 ME, a B.S. in Aviation Tech would i still be disqualified from most places due to 4 part 61 busts when i was young and dumb?

I am 28 now... Still young and slightly less dumb

Sorry for the long post, any help is appreciated.

wrxpilot

Definitely not. Get on with a regional, work your ass off to make sure you don't bust (you won't as long as you put some work into it), and you'll be fine.

CargoPirate

Absolutely agree that you will be fine. Will potential employers ask about the busts. Yes.

Just take responsibility and explain that you learned from them.

awsims33

Thanks for the replies guys.

Any ideas on the current state of hiring? I assume the pilot shortage is getting real for them.

Learflyer

I dinged a few check rides way early on in my training. Busted my Initial CFI and Instrument rating (wrong way on an NDB appch). But I now have 7 type ratings with zero training busts in the last 20 years. Your primary training won't say much about your ability. It's the consistent "professional" busts (135 rides/recurrents/sims/) that will raise flags. Not flubbing a primary ride.

*edit*...Oh and do NOT blame your CFI's in ANY airline interview. Even though they may have sucked...yada yada...the airlines want to see YOU take responsibility and how you improved, etc.