Grumble

True, the tide ebbs and flows on what they ask... But questions like this mandate you disclose everything. The ambiguity is intentional. Unfortunately this kid has an even longer row to hoe now. Schools will still take his money, he'll still get his tickets, but employment is going to be very very difficult for a long time, and that's assuming he has zero check ride failures and an impeccable academic record. The final catch all is at the end of an interview they'll ask "is there anything you haven't told us, or wish to disclose?"

By the way, did your son hold an FAA medical when he got his DUI?

He's also going to have to have to answer yes to question 18(v) at every medical.

http://aviationmedicine.com/resource...500-8%20GG.pdf

Not to be Debbie Downer, but all involved need to go into this eyes wide open. It's not an insurmountable incident, but it's going to be a major hurdle for him to overcome, and it's going to take years.

satpak77

I am not sure what form Grumble's 16 A thru D was from but anybody who has any conviction for anything, is hosed, based on those questions.

Grumble

It's from the United app. Just the first one I logged into to grab. I've seen some variation of that question on most apps.

PerfInit

Please See Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 61, Section 61.15 "Offenses involving Drugs or Alcohol".

There are reporting requirements to the FAA. You did not specify whether your son currently holds an FAA Medical Certificate or Pilot Certificate. If he does currently hold an airman certificate or medical, then the requirements stated in 61.15 apply.

USMCFLYR

Yep...back in the day.
Those days have been over for quite some time too.
I was no angel in High School, but as soon as I realized that all that I wanted was a DUI/DWI away from being a dream I could never realize I took a different road with a different approach.

A little off the subject of how this will affect his future employment chances and how the FAA will deal administratively with this if in fact he did hold an FAA medical; but I'm curious why you are in your words 'we intend to fight the DUI'. It seems that he should admit his mistake and try to make amends with the court using the many tools previously suggested in this thread. Are you contending that he is actually innocent of the DUI or by 'fighting' are you saying that the family plans on asking for leniency?

I wish more young adults would heed the advice of the adults in their lives when they try to tell them that their actions even as teenagers can have long lasting effects on their lives; but each think they are bullet proof.

Cubdriver

Even if the boy in question is guilty of a DUI he should still fight it because there is a disproportionate fallout from the DUI offense for anyone who wants to be a career pilot. USMC, you make the point if I may paraphrase that anyone who wants to fly for a living should carefully weigh their life habits and choose accordingly, which suggests that if you value drinking out of the house then maybe you should not a be a professional pilot. But after the fact, if you do get a DUI and you are already far down the pilot road, then ending the career is really not a sensible option because there are other better options. You should fight the DUI as hard as you can and try to get it knocked down to something less egregious, do the rehab, stop being stupid about your drinking, and carry on with your life as a pilot. This boy is too young to know what he wants to do with his life perhaps, but he had better decide now whether he is willing to stop doing things that are inconsistent with his career plan.

satpak77

Very good points by USMS and Cub, required reading for anyone especially a young dude looking to get into the industry. Also, like mom said, you are who you hang out with. Surround yourself by idiots and you become one. Surround yourself with poor decision makers, you become one. Surround yourself with people more mature, and smarter, than you are, and guess what ? You mature and get smarter.

"Wanted this career since age 4" well, uh, you gotta make life decisions accordingly. I have a close friend who is an FBI agent, was in college and some frat dudes offered him some weed at a party, "no thanks, I have a longer range plan, that extends past tonight"

'nuff said

USMCFLYR

Less than a month after I got back from OCS, I went to a party hosted by my best friend from high school, tennis doubles partner, and former college roommate. He had gone back home after his first year away at college and I hadn't seen him infrequently over the past 3 years. Not long after my arrival at the party I found him in one of the back rooms smoking 'shrooms. I told him basically the same thing that your FBI said to his friends. 'I'm a 2ndLt in the USMC. I can't be around this stuff or people that do this type of stuff.'
Probably didn't see him for 3 years after that. I'm glad to say that eventually got himself together, met a great gal, went back to school for that accounting degree, and is living the good life with family, home, and friends.

Peer pressure. One of the biggest obstacles that a young adult will have to manage - throughout their lives.

satpak77

Yes indeed ! Something I am teaching to my 8 year old, now.

Free Flyer

They can get a job at the regional level or majors, but it is much harder and they will have to explain this in every interview. Not a fun thing to do. With the over 11,000 applications on file at my current airline, they'll bypass someone with a DUI vs someone with a clean record every time. Why take the chance that this person will do it again? However, it's not saying that it can't be done.

Make this a learning experience for your offspring. I'd advise you to not financially cover everything for them and make sure that this is something that they own up to and learn from this mistake.

I currently have 2 college friends that are flying at the majors with DUI's on their record. One a conviction, the other not convicted. Another college friend is stuck at the regional level because they have a DUI conviction and no major wants to hire them with the amount of clean apps on file at the current time.

In regards to hiring, it's all about timing. When apps are down, airlines will hire to fill seats, but when there are a flood of apps like the current time, DUI's will get bypassed.

I'm not saying that it's a career killer, but make it a learning experience.