2A653

I am currently an Air Force Pilot I have been in for 9 years. In 2002 pleaded guilty to a DWI in a civil court. As far as the Air Force goes I was never charged under the UCMJ, Article 15 ect. Since then I have not had a single infraction, not even a speeding ticket.

Does the length of time matter since I haven't had any other tickets ect.?
How much of an impact does this have for air carriers in the civilian industry?

pilotgolfer

Just about any application you fill out for a civilian flying job will ask if you've had a DUI. It also shows up on the paperwork when you get a FAA Phyical. There is no point in not reporting it because it will show up eventually.

I'm assuming that you knew that already...but as far as the amount of time between when it happened and present day...the more, the better. The longer the time you can show that you've been squeeky clean, the easier it will be to convince them in an interview that you've learned your lesson and it was an isolated incident, etc. There are plenty of airline pilots flying with DUIs in their past. You just have to be prepared to handle it at an interview.

rickair7777

Ouch. If I'm reading the timeline right, you were a junior officer, probably in a flight program when it happened, right?

That's not good. It's possible to have an airline career with a DUI in your distant past, but that assumes you were young and not a professional pilot at the time.

The fact that you were (I think) an air force pilot trainee means you should have known better. I suspect that you would not be hired by any major airline. Maybe a bottom-feeder regional, but that's not something you would want to do for long.

I'm kind of guessing that you will not have the option of staying in the AF for 20 years? If you can somehow get promoted to O4 and do twenty you will have a retirement and maybe enough water under the bridge to overcome this.

Bottom line, you will need time and I don't think you've had enough. A few more years in the AF or maybe even a regional might do the trick. Best of luck.

2A653

When I got it I was 19 and enlisted when I got it. I got a waiver to get commissioned and it hasn't had any impact on my career since then. I can still can serve 20 years and no limitation no rank, promotion ect.

Thank you for the input.

rickair7777

OK, that's much better then. I would still try to put as much time as possible between that incident and any job applications.

It is still enough of a big deal that I would be nervous about bailing on the military without a job offer in hand, which would lead me to think about doing the 20.

2A653

Thanks for the info Rickair7777.