Delta driving history...how far back?
 

Just curious how far airlines, specifically DAL, look back to see about suspensions, etc. I had a couple of tickets in the early 90's, but don't have exact info about them. I was wondering if they even look that far back. Anyone have any idea? Thanks.

Bull,

Here's a good place to start:

National Driver Register | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

I ordered mine, then used that data on my application.

I don't know where Delta does it's background search, but, honesty is more important than whether you had 1 or 3 tickets. Know you are just trying to be accurate, but the point is so important that it is worth mentioning again (for others).

If your Mother got a ticket while she was pregnant with you; write it down.

Seriously!!

I had to add a few that I had left off because they weren't on the NDR. They were old (let's not get into how old). Don't know how accurate the story is but one of the guys I interviewed with was shown the door and they said it was because of undisclosed tickets.

They want integrity. If you have some tickets, just say so.

When you fill out the application, guess the best you can with the dates. I had a couple in the late '80s, early '90s. During the actual interview, I told them that I didn't remember the exact dates but that those were fairly accurate guesses. They said they understood and had no problem with it.

I think they're more interested in the number and type of tickets you had and if they were recent. If your last ticket was 15 years ago, don't sweat it.

Whatever you do, however, disclose all tickets you had, even if some were adjudicated in a prayer-for-judgment type deal.

As others have said, just be honest. Put down what you can remember.

For my tickets, I put the year and guessed at the month and general location. They asked me about one of my tickets because it was an unusual charge. After I explained what happened, nothing else was said. Also, DO NOT use the phrase "everybody speeds" or "I was young and stupid". Everyone does not speed and are you still stupid? We don't know. Don't talk bad about yourself. Instead, say something like "I made some mistakes and I have realized how bad of decisions they were. I don't speed anymore". Hopefully your driving record shows that.

If you fail to provide them some information, and they find out about it, you will most likely be terminated. Then you will have a very difficult time seeking employment as a pilot in this industry going forward.

After September 11th, we have no idea who is conducting the background searches (even if DAL says they use a contractor). And just because NTHSA says they can only go back so far, trust me, the information is there for "other" agencies. Does DAL contract with those "agencies"? We don't know. Are you willing to bet your career on that?

Ever watch a show of Cops or Speeders, and the cop prints a rap sheet or a moving violation history a mile long going back decades?

my suggestion would be if you have a cop friend(pref a state trooper or fed agent) have them run your record. they can pull up just about anything.

Your NDR will only show suspensions or revocations. It will not show moving violations, unless severe i.e. DUIs etc.

I would get a copy from your Sec of State's office. Use that info. If it is not there then Delta won't see it. Occational tickets are not a big deal. Just be honest with your info. Don't try to pass the buck either, like blame the cop.

How about this attendance record check? how far back do they look and how many blemishes are too much?

Will it only show current suspensions, or past suspensions as well...like 14 years back??!!