You were slipped the drinks?

 

I suggest that you never use those words again when addressing this issue and I hope that you got rid of those 'friends' who think enough of you to "slip" you drinks and then allow you to drive THEM home.

USMCFLYR

 

IMHO.

DO NO UNDR ANY CIRCUMSTACE repeat that "excuse" again, even "if" it were the truth.

Own it. (Even though is was a BS ticket just because you were not 21) It is what it is.

Saying that you were somewhere else other than a bar will alleviate the fake ID question. Whether you had one or not. ( If you did, do not admit it)

Explain the under age DUI law in GA as a matter of fact, not as an excuse. ex. but I was not over the .08 limit. Own it.

"I made a mistake. It was a gross error in judgement. I learned from and am now grateful for the experience. I changed my behavior and will never repeat it. Thank you for asking."

 

I don't see it as a BS ticket.
Matter of fact, under the GA Code (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Legal_drinking_age_in_georgia)
,it looks like according to his story he doesn't fit in the exemptions of either (b) or (c) and therefore COULD HAVE/SHOULD HAVE been additoionally charged with underaged drinking; and if in the military at the time would have been subjected to the UCMJ also.

EXACTLY!!!

Not "preaching" at you specificially papymaj5, but others need to hear and learn from your story also so when confronted with similar circumstances they understand the risks involved and the trouble it could spell for future employment in certain industries.
I'd like to say good luck to you because I believe that you seem to have learned from your mistake and you are one that will not make the same mistake twice

USMCFLYR

 

That sounds like good advice. "I was at a friends house watching the World Series eating pizza and wings...." sounds less threatening than "At the bar".

Remember, interviews are like talking to your wife. You tell your wife everything........ but you don't tell your wife everything!

 

You could always try calling a couple regional HR departments, explain the situation and ask them if worth the effort to build more time in hopes of getting hired, but if you're lucky enough to actually get ahold of somebody, you will probably just get a canned indirect i want to get off the phone answer.
Most regionals are going to take the applicant without the DUI over you. However, there seems to be less and less qualified pilots available to the regionals so if it comes down to it, they will hire you vs cancelling flights. Unfortunately your DUI is fairly recent, after 10 years it won't even be a factor at all. HR is mainly looking for a significant amount of time to have passed without another incident to make sure it was a one time incident and you aren't a habitual offender.
Your only option is to move forward, you have invested to much money into aviation not too. Just get your CFI, instruct and keep applying and updating your resume and online apps as you build time and hope for the best.