Flight Violation
02-14-2020, 05:12 AM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2020
Posts: 2
Flight Violation
Hey friends!
I'm looking for anyone who has had a similar experience or knows someone who has. I am a current military pilot applying to legacy carriers. I have a competitive resume with one issue from my past. Before the military, I was flight violated for doing an aerobatic maneuver in a light civilian aircraft. Someone saw me do it, and called the FSDO. I admitted what happened, and my license was suspended. This was over 12 years ago. I disclosed the violation to the military when I applied and have not had any issues since. I don't have any other issues.
I'm confident I can explain the situation at an interview. The big question looming over my head is how the app scoring views flight violations. I'm really looking for someone who has been hired by a legacy carrier despite a violation who might be able to give advice.
Thanks!
I'm looking for anyone who has had a similar experience or knows someone who has. I am a current military pilot applying to legacy carriers. I have a competitive resume with one issue from my past. Before the military, I was flight violated for doing an aerobatic maneuver in a light civilian aircraft. Someone saw me do it, and called the FSDO. I admitted what happened, and my license was suspended. This was over 12 years ago. I disclosed the violation to the military when I applied and have not had any issues since. I don't have any other issues.
I'm confident I can explain the situation at an interview. The big question looming over my head is how the app scoring views flight violations. I'm really looking for someone who has been hired by a legacy carrier despite a violation who might be able to give advice.
Thanks!
02-14-2020, 08:53 AM
#2
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,377
Checking that box will score you app lower. One blackmark generally should not be a significant show stopper for a mil guy with an otherwise good record.
However...
The mil is known to not care too much about FAA violations, in fact they probably had a good chuckle about it when they approved your accession. The airlines are another story...
The potential problem here is that this was a pretty significant and VERY intentional violation. 90% of violations which the airlines get to discuss at interviews are totally unintentional, honest mistakes (ie altitude bust on an arrival crossing restriction while distracted by a runway change). In your case when the computer sends the app to a human, they will read the explanation and they might possibly send the app back to the stack. Mil is in high demand right now, so hopefully you'll get to at least explain it face to face.
For honest mistakes, you just take responsibility, tell them what you learned, and move on.
In your case, you're going to be having a more intense conversation. I'd get some professional interview prep so you know how to address this. I'm guessing it will have to do with how your years in the mil afforded you an opportunity to mature tremendously, and reflect on your past mistake (and realize with horror how reckless your decision was). DO NOT try to defend or mitigate your decision.
Presumably you were pretty young. Hopefully you had only a PPL... the FAA and airlines hold professional pilots (pilots who hold a CPL, ATP, or CFI rating) to a higher standard than a PPL, student, or non-pilot.
I think you'll be fine in light of the retirements, but it may be a speed bump and you need to recognize how deep a crevasse you're standing next to.
However...
The mil is known to not care too much about FAA violations, in fact they probably had a good chuckle about it when they approved your accession. The airlines are another story...
The potential problem here is that this was a pretty significant and VERY intentional violation. 90% of violations which the airlines get to discuss at interviews are totally unintentional, honest mistakes (ie altitude bust on an arrival crossing restriction while distracted by a runway change). In your case when the computer sends the app to a human, they will read the explanation and they might possibly send the app back to the stack. Mil is in high demand right now, so hopefully you'll get to at least explain it face to face.
For honest mistakes, you just take responsibility, tell them what you learned, and move on.
In your case, you're going to be having a more intense conversation. I'd get some professional interview prep so you know how to address this. I'm guessing it will have to do with how your years in the mil afforded you an opportunity to mature tremendously, and reflect on your past mistake (and realize with horror how reckless your decision was). DO NOT try to defend or mitigate your decision.
Presumably you were pretty young. Hopefully you had only a PPL... the FAA and airlines hold professional pilots (pilots who hold a CPL, ATP, or CFI rating) to a higher standard than a PPL, student, or non-pilot.
I think you'll be fine in light of the retirements, but it may be a speed bump and you need to recognize how deep a crevasse you're standing next to.
02-14-2020, 09:22 AM
#3
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2020
Posts: 2
Originally Posted by rickair7777
Checking that box will score you app lower. One blackmark generally should not be a significant show stopper for a mil guy with an otherwise good record.
However...
The mil is known to not care too much about FAA violations, in fact they probably had a good chuckle about it when they approved your accession. The airlines are another story...
The potential problem here is that this was a pretty significant and VERY intentional violation. 90% of violations which the airlines get to discuss at interviews are totally unintentional, honest mistakes (ie altitude bust on an arrival crossing restriction while distracted by a runway change). In your case when the computer sends the app to a human, they will read the explanation and they might possibly send the app back to the stack. Mil is in high demand right now, so hopefully you'll get to at least explain it face to face.
For honest mistakes, you just take responsibility, tell them what you learned, and move on.
In your case, you're going to be having a more intense conversation. I'd get some professional interview prep so you know how to address this. I'm guessing it will have to do with how your years in the mil afforded you an opportunity to mature tremendously, and reflect on your past mistake (and realize with horror how reckless your decision was). DO NOT try to defend or mitigate your decision.
Presumably you were pretty young. Hopefully you had only a PPL... the FAA and airlines hold professional pilots (pilots who hold a CPL, ATP, or CFI rating) to a higher standard than a PPL, student, or non-pilot.
I think you'll be fine in light of the retirements, but it may be a speed bump and you need to recognize how deep a crevasse you're standing next to.
However...
The mil is known to not care too much about FAA violations, in fact they probably had a good chuckle about it when they approved your accession. The airlines are another story...
The potential problem here is that this was a pretty significant and VERY intentional violation. 90% of violations which the airlines get to discuss at interviews are totally unintentional, honest mistakes (ie altitude bust on an arrival crossing restriction while distracted by a runway change). In your case when the computer sends the app to a human, they will read the explanation and they might possibly send the app back to the stack. Mil is in high demand right now, so hopefully you'll get to at least explain it face to face.
For honest mistakes, you just take responsibility, tell them what you learned, and move on.
In your case, you're going to be having a more intense conversation. I'd get some professional interview prep so you know how to address this. I'm guessing it will have to do with how your years in the mil afforded you an opportunity to mature tremendously, and reflect on your past mistake (and realize with horror how reckless your decision was). DO NOT try to defend or mitigate your decision.
Presumably you were pretty young. Hopefully you had only a PPL... the FAA and airlines hold professional pilots (pilots who hold a CPL, ATP, or CFI rating) to a higher standard than a PPL, student, or non-pilot.
I think you'll be fine in light of the retirements, but it may be a speed bump and you need to recognize how deep a crevasse you're standing next to.
Thanks for the detailed response. This is pretty much in line with the advice I've gotten so far. I was young when it happened, so I hope to show how I have matured since then, but this only helps for an interview. Hopefully I get that opportunity.
02-14-2020, 04:33 PM
#4
In a land of unicorns
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Position: Whale FO
Posts: 6,492
Originally Posted by militarypilot
Thanks for the detailed response. This is pretty much in line with the advice I've gotten so far. I was young when it happened, so I hope to show how I have matured since then, but this only helps for an interview. Hopefully I get that opportunity.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
