JSrider

Hey all, there are a few similar threads out there but not really any from the recent hiring climate. Internet forums aren’t the most stellar place for advice but I would like to get the input of my peers.
I’m currently approaching year 3 at a regional and was nearing upgrade, but now may be holding off and I’ll explain why. Earlier this month I was arrested for what I’m thinking will be my carrer’s killer, a DUI. I’ve reported to the FAA and followed all those steps, but now I’m not sure of what the future holds for me.
Will a legacy or ULCC ever touch you with one (in the current hiring trends)? If they won’t for a set amount of years (5? 10?) is there any reason to give up my good QoL to upgrade if I can’t move on from this regional for a while?

People who “know a guy” or have “heard a story” are welcome to answer as well. This is obviously a very saddening mistake and I’m just trying to sort out what my future will hold.

JSrider

rickair7777

Many folks have overcome this to get a major and even legacy job.

But a common theme is time passed... understandably any potential employer will want to know that a lesson was learned, and going some period of time without any sort of problems is the best way to demonstrate that.

As for upgrade... more experience, including TPIC and check airman will enhance your resume for most majors. While I think it's safe to say that you won't be getting any calls in the next couple years, you might want to go ahead and start building career-enhancing experience now. You could defer upgrade for a little while until your CA seniority would be somewhat better, but I wouldn't wait too long. The hiring wave will not last forever and that will probably work in your favor.

Also I'd keep your apps updated at any second-tier or ULCC which you'd be willing to work for... they might possibly be willing to hire you sooner than expected, simply because they know you won't be bailing for DL any time soon.

Getting over this is probably going to take some career aggressiveness.

Excargodog

Don’t mean to hijack the thread but this brings up a more generally applicable issue.

I’ve heard from a few sources that there is some concern in the HR departments of at least two legacies concerning regional FOs that intentionally delay upgrade for “QOL purposes.”

Although American seems happy to drag out the flow as long as possible at their wholly owneds, even they are becoming concerned that they have had to hire DECs or force upgrades to keep the left seat adequately staffed.

A certain lack of career aggressiveness was fine and dandy a decade ago when the age limit extension to 65 meant a lot of captains were staying captains an extra five years which slowed FO progression at the majors dramatically. But that ship has sailed and now they need people who will upgrade relatively quickly to fill the increasing number of (mostly) captains retiring.

Don’t be surprised if at an interview you are asked if you upgraded as soon as eligible by hours and seniority (which they pretty much know already, Major HR departments are pretty familiar with regional upgrade times) and when you tell then ‘no,’ be prepared to give them a good answer why not.

I’m not sure a desire to avoid reserve as a captain or to keep great FO schedules will be near as satisfactory an answer to them as it seems to be to a lot of senior FOs currently electing to not upgrade. Telling them you just weren’t ready or just didn’t want to risk a training event probably isn’t the answer they want to hear either, even if it’s true.

Maybe especially if it is true...

TiredSoul

I think you may have just bought yourself 3-5 years at your current regional.
Ride out the storm, jump through all the hoops, take the upgrade and start working on your redemption.

rickair7777

Not implausible, those that like to hire the best-of-the-best-of-the-best-of-the-best are always keen on creative new metrics to get after it.

Or it could just be BS they made up to justify excluding older lost-gen pilots, who typically did 6-10 years as regional FO's.

But in this case generally the pilot's interests align with the airline... in this climate nobody should delay upgrade for one minute unless they have some serious personal circumstances... too much potential major seniority will go by while you wait.

FlyinLion

Interesting that a DUI will not result in termination or even suspension at the regional level. Is that the case at the majors as well? I'm assuming the collective bargaining agreement addresses how these types of issues are handled.

rickair7777

Generally it will not get you fired in and of itself. They are not uncommon.

A DUI is far more serious for a regional pilot, it seriously impacts his ability to progress his career.

At a major, it's probably just pay the $10K fine/fees and then pickup a weekend premium trip to earn the money back.

I don't recall seeing anything about DUI's specifically in contracts. Fundamentally, if it's on your own time, has nothing to do with the employer and doesn't rise to the level of public notoriety airline, it's outside the scope of their discipline..

The problem is that the FAA can ground you for a DUI, depending on severity or if it's a repeat performance. But essentially all US airlines allow you to remain on the seniority list for many years if you lose your medical, so typically you would get your job back when you get your medical back.

Most airlines also have a HIMS program, which provides a path to treatment for substance addiction problems, that might or might not apply to a DUI.

galaxy flyer

And, God forbid, your jurisdiction has a prison term for the DUI offense—you can get fired for not showing up for work or, more accurately, not being able to show up for work.

GF

rickair7777

One guy got exactly that, 90 days or something for a first offense. He had already reported the arrest to the FAA.

Company said he would be terminated if he was out that long... so he called his AME said he "thought he had an alcohol problem", medical revoked, duly reported to HIMS, by the time that all played out he was long out of jail. Unemployed for a while but kept his job in the end.

Interestingly enough, apparently the guy was a first offender with a clean record, and jail was not the norm in that small town jurisdiction. Turned out the local judge had a cousin or something on the local PD... who's estranged ex had been dating our hero Ultimately the whole thing got thrown out and the judge removed.

headcase

I "attended" an online job fair a few months back and one of the speakers was in charge of hiring for a legacy. IIRC he spoke specifically about DUIs and said they would like to see at least 10 years following the offense.