RebelHeloPilot

Hello,
I am a Military Helo pilot transitioning to the airlines in the next year. 10 years ago I was charged with a DUI that was amended to Negligent Driving in the 1st Degree. I am in the process of getting the conviction vacated/expunged.

My question is: Does it matter that it is vacated/expunged? I know I will have to answer for the "arrested for offense related to DUI" or "administrative actions." How assuredly will this prevent me from getting a job at a major/legacy carrier after the regionals? (It was in 2008).

Background: I was an ROTC Cadet and made a stupid mistake 10 years ago thinking I was okay to drive. I blew a .089. I have since had a successful career in the Army including a flight company command and top secret security clearance. I have kept my record clean ever since.

Thank you for your honest, candid feedback! Just trying to find the best way to take care of my family and enjoy the one life we get on this rock.

-Rebel Helo Pilot.
[email protected]

viking767

American hired a pilot who was convicted of flying while drunk (NWA Fargo incident), so there is historical precedence.

Otterbox

Currenrly at AAs Wholly Owned regionals it is 5 years from DUI charge adjudication before you can start Indoc. If you’re looking at a military transition program with one of the regionals It won’t be a deal breaker. If you’ve got a competitive fixed wing background, a 10 year old DUI downgraded conviction likely won’t be a deal breaker.

jcountry

I’d say you should aim at any of the wholly owneds.

The flow throughs are a great deal, and all it takes is getting hired at any of them.

You didn’t mention fixed wing experience. If you have a bunch of king air or jet time, you could be competitive for mainline.

I wouldn’t avoid the situation on the app or if asked about it in an interview. Get good interview prep and they will coach you on how to handle it.

Honestly is absolutely necessary with these things. A situation like that is not a deal breaker. An attempt to hide it would be.

RebelHeloPilot

Thanks all for the great input. I was also re-considering a wholly owned with flow-through to hopefully better my chances. I will definitely not shy away from explaining the situation and the growth i got from it.

No significant FW time. 60ish hours of instruction in C172, but no PPL and can't use it as PIC time. Might help me grease the first few landings on when i get back to flying FW, but that's probably about it. ;-)

Thanks again for the responses, this is a great community and a great resource.

-your friendly neighborhood helo pilot

PotatoChip

Buddy of mine had the same charge... Arrested for DUI, had it knocked down to Negligent Driving. He interviewed at SWA, was honest about it, and he’s been there a year now.
It’s definitely possible.

rickair7777

Given the time passed, your age when it happened, the army career (and the fact they still let you commission and fly), this is probably just a speed bump.

But I'd probably try for a regional with automatic flow just to be safe.