The Dreaded DUI
02-17-2008 | 05:52 PM
#42
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Joined: Apr 2007
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02-17-2008 | 06:14 PM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,285
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From: Student Pilot
I am going to throw myself out there, hoping that it helps someone out there becuase I know what it feels like.
My Story: 6 years ago I was at a gathering at bar. I had 3 beers, got a call from someone in my family who said someone was in the hospital, I left the bar to go to the hospital and got pulled over on the way there. I got no sympathy from the cop (as I shouldnt I was driving over the legal limit) and I ended up with a driving while impaired charge. Call me what ever you want or tell me I am stupid, I have already said the same things to myself over and over again, the fact is people have done much worse that i have that night and not got caught. I simply got caught.
I almost gave up aviation at that point but I love to fly so I kept going. After a lot of dissapointing moments and a lot of flight instructing, I got an interview with Pinnacle Airlines and they hired me I thank them to this day for that. They were very helpful about the situation becuase i was honest with them.
If you have been in my situation here is what you need to do.
Check which airlines will hire you at the regioinal level.
Mesaba requires 5 years for example
Pinnacle and Skywest will hire you in less time but you have to get the approval of Canada.
The canada process is very painful. YOu can't enter canada with a DUI on your record. you have to get special paperwork to enter and exit canada. Its called a temporary resident permit if its been less than 5 years, and a perminent rehabiltation if its been more than 5. Go to this website for guidance but it costs 200 bucks. http://geo.international.gc.ca/can-a...issible-en.asp
The canadian thing is long, frustrating, and they may not approve you the first time but you have to do it.
Be honest at your interivew, tell them what happened. Tell them you made a mistake and how you learned from it. DO NOT LIE, they will find out what you did.
This is obvious, but dont do it again!!!! A second offence and you can forget about it.
I personally am at the point where I want to move on to the majors, preferably Delta. It has been 6 going on 7 years since my mistake, and I have to put it on Airline Apps application. Will I get an interview, who knows, all I can do is keep on trying.
We all make mistakes, some are worse than others. Unfortunately those of us who make this mistake carry it with us forever. If you have any questions or if you have gone through this, please ask or tell on here, or give me a pm if you are uncomfortable posting on here.
My Story: 6 years ago I was at a gathering at bar. I had 3 beers, got a call from someone in my family who said someone was in the hospital, I left the bar to go to the hospital and got pulled over on the way there. I got no sympathy from the cop (as I shouldnt I was driving over the legal limit) and I ended up with a driving while impaired charge. Call me what ever you want or tell me I am stupid, I have already said the same things to myself over and over again, the fact is people have done much worse that i have that night and not got caught. I simply got caught.
I almost gave up aviation at that point but I love to fly so I kept going. After a lot of dissapointing moments and a lot of flight instructing, I got an interview with Pinnacle Airlines and they hired me I thank them to this day for that. They were very helpful about the situation becuase i was honest with them.
If you have been in my situation here is what you need to do.
Check which airlines will hire you at the regioinal level.
Mesaba requires 5 years for example
Pinnacle and Skywest will hire you in less time but you have to get the approval of Canada.
The canada process is very painful. YOu can't enter canada with a DUI on your record. you have to get special paperwork to enter and exit canada. Its called a temporary resident permit if its been less than 5 years, and a perminent rehabiltation if its been more than 5. Go to this website for guidance but it costs 200 bucks. http://geo.international.gc.ca/can-a...issible-en.asp
The canadian thing is long, frustrating, and they may not approve you the first time but you have to do it.
Be honest at your interivew, tell them what happened. Tell them you made a mistake and how you learned from it. DO NOT LIE, they will find out what you did.
This is obvious, but dont do it again!!!! A second offence and you can forget about it.
I personally am at the point where I want to move on to the majors, preferably Delta. It has been 6 going on 7 years since my mistake, and I have to put it on Airline Apps application. Will I get an interview, who knows, all I can do is keep on trying.
We all make mistakes, some are worse than others. Unfortunately those of us who make this mistake carry it with us forever. If you have any questions or if you have gone through this, please ask or tell on here, or give me a pm if you are uncomfortable posting on here.
Completely understand how you feel. I'm waiting to hear from the FAA right now in hopes of being awarded my 1st Class Medical. Some of you are familiar with the obstacles I have to overcome. I originally completed my physical exam and explained my NCIC report back in October; had the psychological eval completed in Dec and as of Feb 13th of this year, the psychiatric eval was faxed off to Oklahoma City. I've been told by some that if I haven't gotten a denial letter yet chances are that I won't. I not going to hold my breath. Until I "run my thumb across the raised seal", I'll continue to hope for a favorable decision.
If awarded, the airlines may think differently. That's why I've looked at other options in terms of my training. I may need to produce a proven track record first, then get hired at the more popular regionals. I dunno. I will see when the time comes.
Thanks for your story.
Blue skies...always.
atp
02-17-2008 | 06:16 PM
#44
On Reserve
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: comfortable
For those of you with arrest records and no convictions, contact the local prosecutor's office where the charge was made. There will be an expungement system in place to take the arrest off of your record. Several forms to fill out and hoops to jump, but, its a perfectly legal way to clean up your record and give you some peace of mind.
Last edited by Flyincop; 02-17-2008 at 06:17 PM. Reason: typos
02-17-2008 | 06:26 PM
#45
I'm here to help...
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
For those of you with arrest records and no convictions, contact the local prosecutor's office where the charge was made. There will be an expungement system in place to take the arrest off of your record. Several forms to fill out and hoops to jump, but, its a perfectly legal way to clean up your record and give you some peace of mind.
Thanks for the info, but in the state of Kansas you cannot expunge anything DUI related - per my expensive lawyer . There is no conviction on my record due to a diversion program, thus they are already helping by offering that program to begin with.
02-17-2008 | 06:33 PM
#46
On Reserve
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 20
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From: comfortable
That's tough. In SC we allow anything that is not a conviction to be expunged. A lot of convictions can get expunged, particularly if they are misdemeanors. DUI and Domestic Violence are excepted from the expungement rules.
02-18-2008 | 04:03 AM
#47
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Joined: Jan 2008
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That's fine and dandy, but more folks than you think drink n drive. Drive by any americana type restaraunt tonight, and look at all of those cars parked in the lot. How many of those folks who own those cars are drinking more than two drinks, and about to get in their cars? Not saying it's right, just saying.......
02-18-2008 | 04:43 AM
#48
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,285
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From: Student Pilot
Flyincop:
Doesn't federal or state law says that a person can only have one (1) expungement during a lifetime?
atp
02-18-2008 | 06:44 AM
#49
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Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: CRJ Captain
I personally hardly even drink anymore, i will at family events and things like that, but my wife and I have switch off the duties of driving. You are right though, go by any restaurant, any bar or nightclub on the weekend, and just think to your self how many people in that place are going to have more than a couple beers and drive home. A lot of them. Even though I have this charge on my record, I believe there should be a no tolerance view on this as well. I just hope that people can see everything positive that i have done since that day.
02-18-2008 | 07:11 AM
#50
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,285
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From: Student Pilot
Some states allow you to do this, others do not. The state where I live does not let you remove any alcohol driving offence for your life. They do this so that if you get caught again, they can use it against you.
I personally hardly even drink anymore, i will at family events and things like that, but my wife and I have switch off the duties of driving. You are right though, go by any restaurant, any bar or nightclub on the weekend, and just think to your self how many people in that place are going to have more than a couple beers and drive home. A lot of them. Even though I have this charge on my record, I believe there should be a no tolerance view on this as well. I just hope that people can see everything positive that i have done since that day.
I personally hardly even drink anymore, i will at family events and things like that, but my wife and I have switch off the duties of driving. You are right though, go by any restaurant, any bar or nightclub on the weekend, and just think to your self how many people in that place are going to have more than a couple beers and drive home. A lot of them. Even though I have this charge on my record, I believe there should be a no tolerance view on this as well. I just hope that people can see everything positive that i have done since that day.
Your last statement in terms of hoping that people (in my case...a potential employer) can see everything positive that has been accomplished since that time is my hope also.
You know, we all make mistakes, bad decisions...and they have consequences. I firmly believe that in your heart of hearts that if you could do it all over again that you would have been more conscience of the situation. Since that didn't happen, I still believe that you truly regret that lapse in judgement. You've taken the high road and your character and integrity are intact. IMHO....that matters most.
atp
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