A lot of people dislike ALPA, but one of the greatest things its ever done was help further the HIMS program. Lyle and Joe are only 2 shining examples of the nearly 5000 pilots that have been given the chance to return to the cockpit and enhance their lives and the lives of those around them.

 

Yep I know guys with past disciplinary action at an Express end up at UAL. I don't think there's much rhyme or reason aside from your normal friends/family/ intern who gets called.

 

Yeah I don't like that question on applications, either. If it asks, "Have you ever been arrested?" I'm good, as I never have been, but if it asks, "Have you ever been convicted of violating a law?" well, then I can't say no.

5 years ago I got an open container (in public, not in a vehicle) ticket, which in NYC is not even considered a crime, but an infraction/offense. It's a violation of administrative law code. The penalty is a ticket that costs less than any parking ticket (it's $25).

The chances of it showing up on a background check are nearly zero, but it's not impossible, hence I just fess up on an app, as much as I hate having to. The fact that it involves that dreaded word ALCOHOL makes me nervous. Hopefully, whoever sees it and judges me on it will at least have some mercy given it happened on the Fourth of July.

My biggest regret (besides having a beer outdoors) was not having the ticket thrown out. The cop didn't provide his full name on the ticket -- only his last name (ticket specifies complaintants FULL name). My court date was scheduled on a day when I had a trip, so at the time I saw it easier to just go to the nearest police station, plead guilty, and pay the $25 ticket rather than miss work/lose pay.

Until the next day, when I woke up and thought about what it will mean to have that potentially be on my dreaded permament record (although I think the cops did say they don't keep records of this, though I think you have to take anything they say with a grain of salt). Uggghh....................

 

I've had questions about this too. 13 years ago I was associated with a guy that had to fill out a police report due to petit theft. Was a really weird incident actually. Long story short 3 years after the actual incident they had me appear in court and gave me 6 months probation. Never got in trouble before and never after. A totally screwed up situation.

When I run a criminal background check nothing at all comes up all. Having worked at two airlines I have never listed on the app and they never said anything. I actually asked an attorney about it and he said since I was never "convicted" or arrest there is most likely not going to be any record. So I don't really feel like explaining anything that I don't have to.

 

To the OP,

I do not think it will keep you out of the job you desire. I think we would all be surprised at the number of pilots with something in their background. Remember, we are discussing pilots! Managements know that; they can accept a youthful indiscretion. Two or three. and well, we have a pattern of not learning. I personally know of a guy (now retired) who listed 2 DUI's and was hired at DAL in '87 (both occurred leaving mandatory squadron functions).

After 9/11 the powers to be had a background check run on all active airline pilots, mechanics, flight attendants and others (remember the mandatory fingerprinting?). There were some nervous employees. At DAL, management agreed to look the other way as long as it was not a felony.

 

Thanks guys
I appreciate everyone taking the time to reply.

 

Do airlines have more access to recorders, specifically ones that are sealed than other employers do?

 

My understanding...

Yes, airlines get to view the FBI's national register of serious crimes.

This includes convictions for DUI's and more serious crimes (but not routine traffic violations). I think some arrests also show up, even if no conviction.

States are required to report the data up to the FBI. This may have been sporadic in the past (before computer systems were as common) and even today may not be 100% reliable.

The problem with sealed/expunged records is that if the issue got in the national database in the first place, an expungement at the state/local level will not cause the FBI to remove the original record. Reason being that the database is also national intelligence resource, and they are never going to delete information once it has been acquired. The database is NOT accessible by "normal" employers...airlines only get to look for national security reasons which overides state employment law.

 

In my experience, honesty on application forms and during in-person interviews is always the best choice. If your new employer finds out you lied and fires you, you will definitely have trouble being hired at the next job.
Just my 2 cents.

 

If you are thinking about keeping a lid on a criminal record issue, just remember, if you have an accident or incident, even if not your fault, the airline itself may scrutinize your record further and find it then.