slyguy

I have been recently laid off from a good 135 gig and am going to give 121 a try. I have someone who will walk my resume in to HR, so my chances at an interview are fairly good. But I have one problem. Apparently, if you have any misdemeanors in the US and travel Canada, you can be subject to be turned around at the border and told to go home, and unfortunately, I have one from a while back. I am currently in the process of having it expunged from my record at the state level, but I am concerned that at the federal level it will still show on my record. Even still, I think I can have that removed as well. Nine years ago, as a young kid, I was heavily involved in street racing. I was in my early twenties. Unfortunately, as a race started, the Highway Patrol showed up, and I was subsequently charged with Evading with willfull disregard. I had a public defender and feel like I got hosed. I was racing, not evading. I pled no contest. Anyways, what are my chances of getting hired at AE because of something that happened this long ago, and what are the chances of it showing up in a background check. Legally, I am not required to check yes if it is no longer on my record, I have researched that much. But I don't want any skeletons in my closet so to speak, so I plan on disclosing this information. But I don't want to be stooped at the border if this should come up.

rickair7777

The problem with Canada is not misdemeanors per se, their law bars the admission of those persons who have a conviction for a serious crime, which is all felonies and some misdemeanors.

The vast majority of US airline pilots don't have felonies, but where this becomes a problem is if you have a US conviction which would have been a felony crime in Canada, then they consider you to be a felon.

The crime which is the problem for 95% of of US pilots who have an issue with Canada is DUI. It is often a misdemeanor here, but is a felony in Canada.

I would check with a canadian consulate to find out if your crime is even considered a problem for entry into Canada. While they are sensitive about DUI, that might not extend to other MV violations. You can probably call and ask them without identifying yourself.

You say "long ago"? How long is that? By paying a large sum of money you can be "rehabilitated" under canadian law so that you can enter the country. In the US this process is commonly known as "extortion". There is a waiting period of five years for minor crimes, if it has been five years you could inquire with a consulate about starting that process.

If your crime makes you ineligible to enter canada, you will probably have to get rehabilitated before you can be hired by most airlines. There are a fair number of US pilots who are in this situation, however, most of them got hired BEFORE canada enacted this law post 9/11.

I don't know what records the canadians use, but I would suspect they get FBI database info or some subset of that.

Also I don't think the canadians have an issue with juvenile crimes, if you happened to be under 18.

Also AMR (the parent company of AA and AE) is known to be very hard-assed about your background. You probably need to accept full responsibility, be humble, and hope they write off the whole thing as a youthful indiscretion. If you complain that you treated unfairly by cops, legal system, etc I can GUARANTEE that you will not be hired. EVERYONE who is actually guilty complains about how they are really innocent

slyguy

I know I was guilty, thats why I pled no contest. The charge was evading, but in my opnion should have been street racing. The race was in progress when they showed up, and I stoped. The fact of the matter still remains it's a black on on an otherwise stellar record. I have never busted a checkride or a line check. I also sold the car immediatly after. I was 20 when it happened, almost 21 when charges were finally filed, and 22 when it was all said and done. I plan on disclosing the information, but I am concerned that my chances with the 121 side of the fence are done. This all from an incident that was nearly a decade ago. It's just a bummer how your past can come back to haunt you so eaisly.

rickair7777

If it was that long ago, and your record is otherwise clean, it should not be a problem for you with most airlines. You were young, and it was relatively minor. It will be a point of discussion, but if you say the right things you should get through it. I can't make any guarantees about AMR, they are weird about things like this, but other airlines will probably be OK with it.

You need to find out if you can enter Canada...if not, get them to rehabilitate you (ie pay their fee). You will need to do that before you start interviewing.

chamflight123

I had a similar problem. I spent many hours searching. The best thing to do is contact canadavisa.com and talk with one of the lawyers. Fines range from 200 to 1500 to clam that you have been rehabilitated. Not including the lawyer fees. Before you spend the money make sure you get the recod expunged, also pull your FBI background. If there is nothing on there then you’re good to go. FBI is what Canada looks at for entry.

Cautious

First off, tell them about it on your app. Then do what you can to get it removed. The FBI database will still show you were charged, but at least you should be able to show that it was dismissed or expunged if you do your homework. Every state is different, check the local court website. I have not heard how to get things off of the FBI database, so focus on the local stuff first.
If you do the paperwork to get it sealed/dismissed/expunged and then wait to for the local court to approve your petition, and then submit your app, it may be easier with AE. You'll be able to say that it was dismissed/expunged up front on the app.

tortue

It takes a bit more than just paying the fee. It also includes fingerprints being sent to every state police department in every state you lived in for the past 10 years as well as to the FBI. You'll have to fill out a variety of forms and provide documentation surrounding your conviction such as the specific statues and all the relevant case files. In addition, you'll have to schedule a meeting at a Canadian consulate for an interview and if it is favorable (saying you were "young and stupid" is an instant fail), it then goes to Ottawa for further review. For standard cases, this takes about 2-4 years (if you have special circumstances like children that live in Canada, it can be about 1).

slyguy

Fisrt letter of thanks but no thanks from Air Wisky. BS!



What bothers me about this is I blow their minimums out of the water. ALL OF THEM! But because of a stupid foolish mistake I made when I was a kid, I am barred from employment. No wonder the system is nothing but a revolving door. It's a shame that you have to report things like what I did, and have them as a permanent mark on your record. I can see other more serious offenses that involved threats or someone getting hurt, but the system is broken. Someone who has been "rehabilitated" has in societies eyes truthfully not been. No matter how good I am from here on out, it will never leave me, even if it is expunged from my record.

clipperskipper

Do you really think that was it? From the dates in your email it reads you applied 11/2/2010, and they turned you down that quickly? Expunged means just that, there's no record, paper or electronic so it's hard to imagine it was your record, unless you answered yes to
the questions on their online app which probably wasn't a great idea.

slyguy

It's still on my record. I am in the process of getting it expunged, as long as the Judge grants it. I have my fingers crossed. I haven't had so much as a traffic ticket since it all happened. And according to CA law, I don't have to report it. If it gets expunged, it'll be a part of Penal code 1203.4. California code 7287.4(d) says I am not required to say anything, and the employer is not allowed to ask.