Falcon900pilot

Hey guys,

About 2 years ago, I unsat a recurrent ride (sadly it was on NFP duties). Specifically, I was unsat because I didn't pull out the performance chart data on a go around for hold speeds, and instead used 200 knots (the limiting holding speed for our altitude). I also screwed up when I programmed an arrival by not doing it from the transition (which I promptly corrected) and I missed turning the landing lights off on the go-around checklist.

Normally, I would consider these debrief items, but -- it is what it is. The fact of the matter is I was rusty (hadn't flown 90 days prior due to being on FMLA), and that is all there is to it.

Anyways, since then I have successfully completed an ATP / Type ride (jet) and have never had a failure either prior to or after that event.

Unfortunately things got so bad while I was waiting for a retrain that I had to end up resigning (trying to take care of a terminally ill family member), so I didn't have the opportunity to retrain to proficiency (we were backlogged almost three weeks due to the amount of unsats that were happening).

My question is: How badly do you think this failure is going to impact my career? As I stated earlier, this bust was my only bust, but it was a 121 PC recurrent bust, so I know that's pretty serious.

Does the fact that I managed an ATP / Type ride since then matter? Do you guys think I will ever have a chance at a major? What about corporate?

Thanks in advance for your response.

JJ

Falcon900pilot

And yes I am eligible for rehire by the airline I was with (but don't want to go back there).

Pilotpip

There are plenty of people with bigger skeletons in their closets than that who have been hired at the airline of your choice. I wouldn't want to work for an organization that looks on you negatively for putting your family first.

When the time comes, be honest about what happened and move on.

Bozo the pilot

Youll most def get to a major- people have checkride probs/dui/ cert issues. Time heals all. Just be persistent and positive. The only way u dont get to a major is if u give up- btw sorry about the Lombardi speech

featheredprop

Caring for a terminally ill relative is a very difficult situation. I believe any future employer would be more than understanding as to your situation .I think you will fare well in your job hunt !!

rickair7777

This is a blip, but a minor one. You should be fine once hiring picks up.

But the fact that you resigned shortly after without being re-trained makes it look more serious than it probably was. I would probably spin this as the family situation was a major distraction during this time and a contributing factor if not the cause of the bust. Lesson learned: take leave of absence during highly stressful life situations.

I would probably bring documentation of the family situation (obituary?) to an interview to back up your story.

Falcon900pilot

Hi guys,

First of all, I want to thank you all for the thoughtful responses. Bozo, I don't mind the Lombardi speech at all

@Pilotp - I agree with you sir.

@Rickair - I agree with you about the resignation. It was a very tough decision, but in hindsight the right one - my family member died 6 months later.

I have all of the records of course, FMLA, death certs, etc. to verify my situation, it just stinks that it all went down this way. My CP wasn't happy to see me go, but my airline had done away with any LTLOA options, so his hands were tied - there was no way to give me any time off outside of my FMLA, which was just about out.

Thanks again to all of you who have responded.

USMCFLYR

I know this is just me, and I'm not the one applying for a job, but I can't even think of what my response might be to an interview panel that after me telling my story of a terminally ill family member causing me stress and such would actually say 'Well Mr. XXXXX, that is a touching story. Do you have any proof of this?' Again - this type of approach would be indicative of the type of company that I probably wouldn't want to work for in the first place.

...and before anybody says it - no I have never worked for a commanding officer in the military, or any boss in the civilian world, that has ever asked for a doctor's note to prove I was sick, so I've never had to test that personal values theory. Lucky me I'll admit. I also realize through the stories on the boards here that many of the airlines might ask for such. That is too bad and just adds stress to the many who are not abusing the system for the very few who do.

rightside02

I think you ll be fine , learn from it and move on . When you do get the chance to interview somewhere don't be a victim and show them not only can you learn from the mistake but that you know how to handle your self about it . That's all they want to know

Good luck

Falcon900pilot

I agree Rightside. If I were to sum up the reason for my failure, it would be "lack of attention to detail" and poor judgment on my part to try and plug through this as mentally exhausted as I was. If I were to do things differently, I would have observed a few sim sessions before going into a 1 event sink or swim PC. Yes there were some awful extenuating circumstances, but I'm man enough to own up to my oversights.

With my track record, I think any reasonable person could see that it's not a pattern. It's getting to the place where someone will actually listen that's going to be the trick.

Thank you for the response

JJ