Foreclosure/Credit history
 

Hi Lori,

How would a foreclosure affect your application chances at a major airline or fractional?

I have hit a patch of bad luck in my life, and it looks like I'll be losing not only my home, but also an investment property.

I know airlines are extremely detail-oriented in their background checks, and investigate everything, from the obvious, like FAA records and employment history, to driving records to credit history.

If I ever get an interview in the future, this will come up and I will have to properly explain it. Even if its not mentioned in the interview, I know in the background research part, it will be discovered, so I'll have to find a way to talk about it in an appropriate way in the interview.

How would having a foreclosure affect my chances? Is it possible to properly explain a foreclosure the way other applicants will explain drunk driving, failed checkrides, etc, or it is considered a mistake on such a level that would it make me an automatic no? Hypothetically speaking, if another candidate and I were equal in our interviews, could that be the determining factor?

Please, give me your honest, no-holds-barred opinion.

Thanks for all the insights you can provide

RCAC

Probably depends on the internal corporate culture at that particular company. Some will dismiss it... others may pass you by. Have answers for their questions but I wouldnt dwell on it or let it stop you from applying for positions.

In todays' economy your situation is not uncommon. I would think it wouldn't be a problem at all. If an airline you applied to holds that over your head, you wouldn't want to work for them anyway.

Most regionals will probably be OK with it, assuming it was a plain-vanilla situation without a lot of complicated history.

Major airlines tend to be concerned with that sort of thing...it might preclude you from employment at some companies. But the good news is that they can only ask about it for 7 years (or maybe 10?)...after that your record is erased. If you are just starting out, by the time you are ready to interview at a major airline it should be ancient history.

Be aware that if there were civil lawsuits involved, those records are available permanently if the company choses to look for them.

The bankruptcy would be gone from your records but that wouldn't stop them from asking. Most apps ask have u ever...

As far as airlines go, I'd go with what Rickair said.

If you were going to apply for the type of job where a company issued credit card has your name on it (corporate, some ACMI's etc), I could see it being a concern.

The important thing to remember here is the big picture. Airlines ask these types of questions and do this type of background check looking for trends. What kind of person are you? They need responsible pilots who are able to take responsibility for their actions and be accountable.

That said, not every airline does a credit check. Some do, even some regionals. So if this is an area of concern for you then I would do a little research on which airlines actually conduct a credit check.

If you were sitting in front of me and I knew about this foreclosure I would probably delve into other areas of responsibility. Driving records, terminations, violations, job longevity, etc. If this is the only anomaly in your background I really don't see it as an issue. Like On Autopilot said, this is certainly not uncommon in today's economy and I'm sure airlines will see it quite a few times. Be prepared to discuss how you found yourself in that situation and why you chose the path you did to rectify it.

If you can stay where you are for seven years before applying with an airline then it probably won't be an issue at all. Unless, of course, there are lawsuits pending. Now we have a complex issue.

Hope this helps,
Lori