hc0fitted

Looking for some opinions. I have a friend that is sitting at about 1300TT 400 Multi. He has been applying but with no luck has herd nothing. He does have 3 busted check rides and a DUI from 6 years ago. We are both know this a playing factor in not hearing anything back yet. However, what are his chances at getting anything at all during this current time considering his current situation ??

Cubdriver

I would think some time had better go by to show he is not going to keep getting DUIs. The question is how long. Can he CFI in the meantime? That's about the best bet I would think. Airplanes and DUIs do not mix at all. If the busted rides are the three CFI's that might ease that issue a little bit.

hc0fitted

One thing. I made a big typo that DUI was 6 YEARS ago not Months bit of a difference ahha!!! Yes he can CFI, he currently is instructing. I know one of his bust are from a CFII ride im not sure what the other two are for.

Cubdriver

Well if he is young enough to pass off the DUI as a learning experience that would be a big help. Maybe 30 would be the deadline for that song and dance. If it happened after 30 wow, I can see it really being a problem. I carry a DUI machine in my car and if I have any doubt whether its questionable that thing comes out for a sample. We had a thread a few weeks talking about how many busted rides will affect what outcome and I think Rick explained that over here. Part 135 seems to be only hope and my guess is with a DUI even that route is rather dim in this economy. I know the outfit I flew for was paranoid about alcohol, although busted rides would not matter except for eliminating candidates. These companies tend to make sure you fly well enough using their own check pilots so they are not worried you are good enough once you get hired, they know whether or not you are. It's just getting a chance that may be the issue.

[Edit] Here's another thread. This one seems more encouraging.

hc0fitted

Thanks for those links I will pass on the info. I agree the main concern for him is one of these places giving him an opportunity. He is a great pilot and person I have no doubt he would succeed given the chance. He said that he failed the CFII oral and flight so he is under the impression that is equivalent to two bust. Is that correct ??

Cubdriver

You mean he had to retake the CFII checkride twice? I am not sure how that counts in terms of number of busts but I think the point is, he has to be fully open and responsible for however many busts he had, even if it was multiple busts on the same certificate. He has to answer for it, no matter what. How it counts is really semantics, and I doubt there is any magic number. Multiple busts for the same ticket would seem to suggest he had a lot of trouble or maybe he wasn't prepared properly, but whatever it is the key is to tell the whole story and always accept full responsibility.

It's always tough telling the whole truth about these things and everyone struggles with telling the whole truth at times. Life has a way of pitting truth against easy payoffs, but I tell you it is worth it to be honest as possible. Airlines can do record checks and even those operators who can't will know a weak pilot from a good one. No need to go blabbing all your faults and failures to everyone but then again self-deception is really worthless. We all want to be heroes, but we have to accept what we really are. One of the things I realized along the way was that in the end it is only what I think about myself that really matters and I should at least have as solid a respect for myself as I expect anyone else to have and it should be based on real character, not a patchwork of dodged responsibilities, omissions, or forgotten failures. Self-respect is something you can take to the bank even if the person you become never gets any money, attention, or glory.

rickair7777

Hate to say it but I would assume that this person will not get called by an airline in this environment. Somebody will be along shortly to blow sunshine up your butt and tell you how his uncle got hired by FEDEX in 1982 with multiple DUI's and GED, but that was then and this is now.

Of the two threads referenced above, note that the more optimistic one was dated 2007...the peak of the hiring boom.

If he failed the oral and the flight on two separate occasions and got two pink slips, then yes that is two busts.

Honestly this person is probably looking at a career in 135 or 91, at least for ten years or more. There will be an airline hiring boom (if oil prices stay under $120) but even so this is a lot of bad ju-ju, especially in light of colgan.

If the airlines get really desperate in the coming years then maybe. But more likely he will benefit not directly, but by a mass exodus from 91 and 135 which should open up some good corporate opportunities (although the guys with the very best corporate jobs are not leaving for the airlines regardless). Corporate hiring is based mostly on who you know, so they are pretty much going to have an idea about you before they even consider you for a job. This means that, unlike 121, they don't have to guess based on what your paper record looks like.

Hopefully the DUI was VERY young.

Grumble

Guys are scratching and fighting for jobs right now. Employers pretty much have their pick of the litter. 3 busts AND a DUI?!? I'd say he should just find another line of work.

Five years from now, if this pilot shortage comes to fruition, maybe a regional will pick him up as a last resort... but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Ask yourself, looking at him on paper, would YOU hire him?

USMCFLYR

Sounds like he would

USMCFLYR

mmaviator

maybe your friend should invest in this so he won't get another DUI.....Just a thought. BTW your friend isn't Lindsay Lohan by any chance?