I am a flight instructor who is applying for employment at the airlines. The only black mark on any application that I am concerned about comes down to the credit check. My wife and I don't spend any money we don't have, and we pay all of our money out every month to necessities (rent, heat, etc) and student loans, but it's not enough, so I have bad credit. Getting into the flying business has cost me every penny, and now paying on those loans and debts to private loans, the university, et cetera, might keep me from furthering my goals. Any advice?? I intend to be open and honest about it, sure, but how much is this a factor for one who has never failed a written or practical, has no violations, never been fired from anything, etc? I would hope an interviewer would see that my money issues are my own and that I'm handling them the best I can with what I have and that the job in question is likely the key to resolving said issues.

To be clear, the bad credit history is completely accurate in regards to having missed payments and things like that, but I would say that it is completely inaccurate for it to paint the picture of someone who is irresponsible, since I haven't used anything but cash/debit for half a decade, and I'm paying on absolutely everything I owe, but can't come up with all the money everyone wants after my pay was cut 20% and benefits were dropped.

Thank you to anyone who has the time/ knowledge and is able to reply. Also, sorry if this is a recycled topic, but my search only found things that had to do with arrests and DUI and such.

 

My guess is that during the background check it will come up. I know that bad credit WILL keep you from getting a security clearance. Not a slap to you but more often than not bad credit shows lack of responsibility.

Funny that airlines which are always going into or out of BR have the nerve to look at anyone's credit score.

 

It depends on the airline. They are always looking for irresponsible applicants to weed out, and credit is one tool they use.

Most of the recruiters will be aware of the financial situation which has affected many folks in the last few years and would probably be sympathetic if your loans are for school training vice wide-screen TV's, fast cars, and hookers.

Unfortunately since it may take some effort to get to the bottom of your situation it's possible they will just take the easy way out and hire someone with clean credit.

I would probably explain the situation up front even if they don't ask so that if they pull your credit maybe they will consider your side of the story. That's just me, and there are no guarantees how it will work out.

 

Yeah! Imagine an interview where you ask THEM about their credit history or financials
I'm sorry XXX airlines, but you seem to be on shakey ground right now and your business plan looks weak. I think I'll take my talents elsewhere.
Of course this COULD be going on right now, but there are enough lining up that it doesn't matter.

USMCFLYR

 

Thanks, everyone. Valid points. I understand why something like this would preclude someone from obtaining a security clearance, since that would make the person much more likely to be bought for intelligence by some foreign entity, but I'm just trying to get a good job. I agree that bad credit is indicative of poor choices and irresponsibility, and I have been irresponsible by taking college classes (including flight courses) that I struggle to pay for, but the majority of my financial woes come from my wife's medical condition which costs money and precludes work. I will just have to try to sell my side of the story, and hope they see that being poor means you're REALLY responsible because you don't have any excess cash.

Hopefully, they'll give me a chance, I'll get the job, and that excess thrust will help us climb out. Thanks again for the replies.