Hello all, I am a newbie to posting, but I have been a reader for a while.

I am a 25 year old private pilot nearing the end of my instrument training who had every intention of becoming an airline or part 135 pilot. In 2013, when I was 20, I was charged with simple possession of marijuana and underage possession of alcohol. Now, 5 years later, the legal issues have finally come to an end. The outcome was that the simple possession was dismissed, but I was found guilty of the underage possession of alcohol. I will soon have both expunged.

I am feeling really down that something so minor that happened when I was younger and less caring may have put an end to my dream career. Should I continue training? Does anyone know of anyone who has had success with getting jobs after being in a similar situation? I'm just terrified that I will get through training to find that I cannot land a job because of this.

 

You sound like a freight dog in the making.
Honestly, you'll be okay, seek competent legal advice before filling out applications and for the medical.

 

I had an underage drinking ticket when I was 20. I am now 30 and at a regional. It hasn’t hindered me yet in my career. Got hired by a 135 company and have now worked for two 121 carriers. I also have a few other marks on my record that maybe 10 years ago when everything was stagnant I may have been not able to get on anywhere, but times have changed and all three regionals I interviewed with offered me a job. Not going to lie, I’m worried about the next level beyond the regional level. I pretty much have told myself there is no way I’m going to Delta or United... ever lol. There are too many pilots that don’t have issues on their record for guys like me to get a shot.

Biggest thing is, when you disclose it take responsibility for your actions and explain how that mistake has helped you become a better person in the long run. It’s all about being humble, honest and letting them know you are a human that makes mistakes but learns and course corrects afterwards. Best of luck and please don’t quit training, you will regret it! If I quit because I was afraid of rejection due to my past, I wouldn’t be writing this message while on an overnight doing a job I absolutely love.

 

This will not be a big deal.

Do your homework on how to address these issues with the FAA and employers (plenty of discussions here about similar circumstances).

Try to keep a clean training record going forward, you don't want to have any more boat anchors to go with the small one you have.

Keep a perfectly clean legal record. Not even moving violations, so drive careful and no more than five over. When you reach your career destination airline, you can buy a maserati and drive like a nut if you want.

 

It seems like every other day this same question comes up; there is no shortage of response to this question on this site.

Life goes on. Continue training. Sally forth. Go to work.

 

Buddy of mine had an underage drinking arrest.
He’s now with a Major.
Now remember though, there’s at least 25 years of a squeaky clean record between the two.