Agree. It's been proven that people make these decisions on their own and without the "help" of a program, but the program is "necessary" for the paperwork and so you can say what you did to "fix" the problem. If you don't do this, it might not be possible to ever "recover" from this in the eyes of many.

I agree with how to prosecute it, but I also realize that our society essentially encourages this. We'd probably lose around 60% or more of the population if this was really enforced. How many people go to a restaurant, have at least one drink, and drive back home? How many people drive to a bar and at some point later, drive back home? I'm not talking about the people that go and have 3-4 drinks or more, I'm talking about the more casual ones that may have just 1-2. How many of those people drive home later? Is the alcohol out of their system? I bet they'd blow something significant, which is enough to say they are "impaired" (rather than "intoxicated"). In a few metro areas that have great public transportation, this is much less of an issue. In most of the country, it happens constantly and one would have to put most of the population in jail due to how this has evolved in our society.

And another minor point... Someone who drives drunk has potentially done it many times before, even if it is a first DWI charge. Technically a single person could have been subject to hundreds of DWI's. They just happened to get caught and get one. The Cops, courts and the FAA are quite aware of that as well. Part of the FAA's assessment is subjective. They might even take into account the day of the week and the time of day...

Thanks again to you all who have posted some very helpful information. I truly appreciate it!

I could not help but think of this classic..... ENJOY

Foster Brooks as Drunk pilot on Dean Martin Show - YouTube

When I first read this forum posting last night I was actually rather angry and decided to take some time before I responded. Given that I just posted a quite funny clip about a drunken airline pilot, I think I succeeded in calming down a bit. However, I do still want to at least address the part of this that has me steamed.

From the OP he states that….

“I have family at a major airline that is willing to help me get on as soon as I'm done with my training. He/she already knows about this situation and is researching it as well from their end.”

I know that in this industry it can be all about WHO you know, but this is taking things to the extreme. There is actually someone (in some sort of authority position I assume) at a Major airline that is actively working to help get someone hired that they KNOW has 2 DUI arrests. Right now I still fly for the military, but will be getting out early next year and be competing for jobs against the rest of you. How many of you want to sit in an interview group and wonder to yourself, “is that guy right there the one that has 2 DUI’s but will still get hired before I do because he knows somebody?” Am I the only one that sees a HUGE problem with this? This is not one DUI when someone was young and stupid, this is 2 of them and the most current one was in their 30’s.

I am sure there will be someone out there who will disagree with me, which is all part of the fun in online forums. While I know nobody is perfect and many times people deserve a second chance, it really just does not sit well with me that this person very well may get hired ahead of some truly stellar candidates just because they “Know somebody.”

Unfortunately, there are a LOT of individuals out there who are where they are because they knew someone. In fact, most accept networking as THE method of success.

You'll hear it time and again, "it's not what you know, but who you know."

I've never had a job based on a recommendation from a friend, or an "in" with a company. I don't network. Most do. It appears to work for them, but I'm with you. Gaining work based on who you know doesn't say much for the person seeking the job.

Especially if it involves a situation such as this.

Like JB alludes to; there will always be people that catch a break, are in the right place at the right time, take advantage of a favor, nepitism, Etc. That's happened since the beginning of time and right or wrong, we all just have to live with it. If I got worked up over all the times I have seen that I could give myself a coronary. However I do know that I personally could not stand in front of a hiring executive, especially with a straight face, and go to bat for someone with multiple DWI's. Maybe, but not for a job like this. I don't even think it would be prudent to give a Buddy Pass to a person with two DWI's...

I have a couple of things I would like to say...

1.) You have no idea who I am or anything about my situation other than the info I have provide thus far which isn't much.


2.) Once again the first DWI arrest charges were dropped. There is a VERY good reason for this and it had nothing to do with tampering with evidence, etc...

3.) Do I regret my decisions the night of the recent situation? DAMN RIGHT! Hindsight is a mother though and I can't change it. Yes, I would do most things over again such as "Blow," grab a hotel room, etc... Again you don't know me or this situation other than I am facing a possible drivers license suspension.

4.) I work for 2 very respectable companies of which everyone here knows. I've NEVER used networking to obtain a position within a company. I've worked my ASS off to get where I am. I typically get 5 hours of sleep each night and it has been that way for a long long time.

5.) I have many friends and family that are eager to help me as I am always willing to help them. I value them and their opinions. I have only inquired to those two as far as pilot hiring. I've never used any friends or family members to obtain a position. I have always believed that I should get a position based on my abilities.

6.) I would also never ask anyone to walk a resume in without them already knowing everything about my situation.


Thanks again for the helpful information.

That's not really the point, is it? It's not about deceiving a networking buddy or a contact. It's about getting an "in" to get around something that would or ought to keep you out.

Let's face it, it's not really whether you were convicted. It's whether you did what you did or were alleged to have done.

You're asking about getting someone to pay you to be entrusted with their 40 million dollar machine and hundreds of lives onboard, as well as the financial well being of the company, the lives of everyone in it and those associated with it and the clients thereof. It's a judgement issue. As aviators we're paid not for our monkey-flying skills, but for our judgement.

Your judgement thus far is lacking.

It's enough. You're welcome to provide more information, then.

That drivers license suspension will have a significant impact on your employability as well as your standing with the FAA and your medical certificate, and your ability to go be insured.

You have a problem. Whether it's a drinking problem or not is unclear, but you have a judgement problem.

It's all about judgement. Regretting bad decisions doesn't mean you've never done it before or never repeated it. How many times have you been impaired and not been caught? How many times have you been just under the legal limit? Is that okay, because it's legal?

By all means, tell us about it.

Are you saying that you weren't intoxicated, or weren't impaired, then?

Judgement.

That's nice. Irrelevant, but nice. You have family at a major airline who know your situation are willing to help you get in. That's nice for you, too.

You seem to be missing the point.