allflight57

When I was 16 I was caught by the cops for putting fireworks in peoples mailboxes with a group of friends, they took us in to the station and we did finger prints and all that stuff. Then a while later they allowed me to take a class that would get it dismissed, which I did. I never had to go to court or anything so I'm assuming I wasn't even charged with anything. I haven't got into trouble since then. When I was 18 I was hired at American Eagle to work the ramp and got a SIDA badge with no problems. I am almost 21 now and am wondering if I should to put it on a 121 application. I don't want to shoot myself in the foot and not be able to get some interviews because of that box being checked if it isn't even on my record...but also don't want anything to turn up and get thrown out of ground school.

Is there any way I can get a background check on myself to see what the airlines are looking at?

Lori Clark

You can do two things: Go to the county courthouse and ask to see a copy of the disposition of the case and you can also request your FBI record. Go to www.fbi.gov and you'll find instructions on how to request it.

trent890

Kit Darby and his Air, Inc. company used to have a service that allowed you to purchase a background check to be performed on yourself by a private investigation firm. The investigation firm acted as if they were interested in hiring you for a flying position, and would then send out the appropriate release forms so that any records on file would be discovered. All the information they collected was then compiled in a packet, and sent for you to review as the true "customer".

I don't know if that's still available from any company today, or how to go about contracting with an investigation firm that is familiar with airline hiring practices and the records that go with it. Check with fltops.com to see if they have anything comparable to it?

Overall, I thought it was worth it. I had decided to go ahead with the background check after I flubbed my first airline interview with Great Lakes. Maybe a little pricey for someone still trying to get their first job at a regional, but it put me completely at ease with answering questions both on future applications and in interview sessions. I had three things I was concerned about: two speeding tickets, and an aircraft incident that was reported to the insurance company. Everything came up clean.

Singlecoil

As usual, Lori has some great advice there.
You were a minor so it shouldn't be on your record and I would bet money that it isn't.
Do not put it on your application.

allflight57

Thanks for the info. Looks like fltops.com is pay to play and couldn't find anything free. But ill give the FBI record a shot and hope for the best.

atpwannabe

If you have a SIDA badge now and you're working for AE, why would there be problem in the future? You're golden!



atp

Lori Clark

One word of caution regarding "sealed" records. It doesn't mean it won't show up in your background check - it just means that they can't see what it was. Meaning, they'll see there is a record, they just don't have any details.

Wasatch Phantom

Someone such as Lori who does interviewing professionally may disagree with this (disclaimer)...

I think the vast majority of us had some "youthful indiscretions". Some of us were lucky enough not to get caught, but it doesn't mean we didn't do the same things.

But, the mischief was relatively minor, it happened a long time ago, and we've "grown up".

My impression is that airlines are looking for competent, honest people. They want folks who are easy to get along with, easy to work with, and are a joy to be around. Part of that is having a personality.

Let the dullards go to law school...

AvSec

Fortunately for you, juvenile records are not considered when making a dermination under 1544 (Airline) or 1542 (SIDA), as far as CHRC disqualifiers. An employer though may use that knowledge to assess your overall character.

Also, who didn't blow up mailboxes as a teenager?

allflight57

Avsec, good to know they're not considered. But I'm confused as to what you meant by employers using that to asses my character. Does that mean it will show up on the background check, so i had better make sure I disclose it on the application? Or do you mean IF I click yes I have been arrested on the application then it would be to my disadvantage because that would be just a reason not to hire or consider me for an interview. I'm still at least a year from applying but its still good to know all this stuff now so I'm not scrambling last minute.