Stupid Mistake
 

I need some advice/opinions-

About a week ago I made the stupid college student choice to go out drinking with my friends at a party. Unfortunately, it got busted and I was arrested and charged with a Minor in Possession of alcohol misdemeanor. I was just wondering if my chances of becoming an airline pilot are out the window or not?

I'm 19 and this incident has opened my eyes that those few drinks are not worth the rest of my career. I'm going to be very careful to keep a clean record from this point on, not even a speeding ticket. I haven't had my court date yet, but I am hoping to get it expunged since this is my first offense. Even if it does get expunged I will still disclose to any airline I apply to in the future and be honest with them.

I can't imagine anything else besides a career in aviation. I started flying gliders when I was 14 and have obtained my private pilots license and just recently passed my instrument check ride. I still have 3 years of college left and am a straight "A" student, so I am hoping this one stupid college mistake won't ruin my career.

Thanks for any advice.

You'll be fine. Everyone makes mistakes.

Out of curiosity, any way of getting your record expunged (not sure what state you are in) to give you some peace of mind?

You should have no issue with this. Make sure you disclose it on all your applications and have a good "This is what I learned from my mistake" story for any future interview. Good luck!

PS. Any other alcohol-related issues will probably take you out of the running for any job.

You'll be fine, just own it and learn from it. Though not alchohol related, I received a misdemeanor for disorderly conduct at your age. I had no other issues after that (a few traffic tickets though). I was selected for OTS/UPT received some high security clearances and was hired by a major airline without a problem.

If you learn from it, it actually builds character.

Get a good lawyer and have him get rid of it. Now is not the time to be cheap.

Maybe times have changed, but when I was in college and MIP was just a ticket. As long as you don't get a DUI, you'll be fine. Also, if you don't have any other offenses, it can be removed after a few years. If it's expunged, you don't have to put it on an application, no matter what they say. Legally speaking, expunged, set aside, etc. means it didn't happen, and no employer, including an airline, will be able to discover it.

If you choose to have an lawyer look at it, you may be able have it changed to some type of disorderly/noise ticket. When asked about it in an interview, you can just say, "I was at a large college party and the police came and gave everyone a ticket."

Seriously, though. Not that big a deal. Especially if you're an otherwise outstanding applicant.

As far as the airlines goes, they will not see a problem. Depending on the airlines, you may have issues going into Canada. They make a big deal when it comes to Alcohol related offense. Just be sure to disclose it on your apps and mention it during the interview if asked.

You're fine. It shouldn't even be a misdemeanor, it should just be a violation ticket.


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Not that big of a deal, but definitely get a lawyer and give it your best shot of getting removed.

It will not be a Canada problem. That's for felonies.


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