Young Pilot Needs Advice
08-25-2015, 10:23 AM
#1
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2014
Posts: 16
Young Pilot Needs Advice
Avoided posting this for a while but I want to see what you guys think. I turn 21 in 3 days and Ive been thinking about my career a lot lately. I have my commercial certificate. Anyways, I made a huge mistake when I was 19 and living at college (which doesnt justify). I received a marijuana dui 
. It is my only criminal past and I haven't used marijuana since. Ive already reported it to the FAA and everything. It was a huge learning experience for me and helped me to realize that I would never do anything (more) to jeopardize my career. After lurking around, Ive found out that this may not be a total career killer, and I still have no doubts that I want to continue to pursue my dream. Im very confident that I can maintain a flawless record in the future. I want to get my CFI or any other entry level flying job that will allow me to build hours. However, I am discouraged from applying for a pilot job anytime soon because of my past. How long should I wait before applying? Does anybody have experience or knows somebody in a similar situation and what was the outcome? I will accept any comments, advice or constructive criticism but please dont disrespect. Thanks
. It is my only criminal past and I haven't used marijuana since. Ive already reported it to the FAA and everything. It was a huge learning experience for me and helped me to realize that I would never do anything (more) to jeopardize my career. After lurking around, Ive found out that this may not be a total career killer, and I still have no doubts that I want to continue to pursue my dream. Im very confident that I can maintain a flawless record in the future. I want to get my CFI or any other entry level flying job that will allow me to build hours. However, I am discouraged from applying for a pilot job anytime soon because of my past. How long should I wait before applying? Does anybody have experience or knows somebody in a similar situation and what was the outcome? I will accept any comments, advice or constructive criticism but please dont disrespect. Thanks
08-26-2015, 05:47 AM
#2
On Reserve
Joined APC: Aug 2015
Position: Captain, BH-429WLG
Posts: 13
Don't wait...
... but I suggest not expecting to attempt to get on with a Major carrier at first. Consider continuing to build your experience, hours, ratings. CFI, fly cargo, establish a solid work record and you may well overcome your previous issue. And if you have not yet, your complete four year degree.
You might also consider a career in the military. A single incident is not disqualifying for entry. You can either enlist, and then apply to a commissioning program and then flight school, or apply to Officer Candidate School.
Background: I enlisted at 17, completed a Bachelor of Science on a full ROTC scholarship, got a Masters degree and went to helicopter and fixed wing military flight school before retiring from a 26-year career. **When I enlisted, I was a high school drop out with color deficient vision, so you can surmount pretty tall barriers with tenacity and persistence.
PM if you want to talk more.
You might also consider a career in the military. A single incident is not disqualifying for entry. You can either enlist, and then apply to a commissioning program and then flight school, or apply to Officer Candidate School.
Background: I enlisted at 17, completed a Bachelor of Science on a full ROTC scholarship, got a Masters degree and went to helicopter and fixed wing military flight school before retiring from a 26-year career. **When I enlisted, I was a high school drop out with color deficient vision, so you can surmount pretty tall barriers with tenacity and persistence.
PM if you want to talk more.
08-26-2015, 04:58 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Position: CRJ
Posts: 372
whatever the infraction is, own it. never try to hide it cover it up, doesn't sound like you are. WHEN it comes up say everything you just said. i was young and dumb it was a major wake up call learning experience for me and i would never do it again because of all the things that i learned about safety career etc etc. don't sweat it too much, you can usually get away with one thing of the sort but multiples are a huge red flag.
Good luck
Good luck
08-27-2015, 08:42 AM
#5
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,310
Or....
Start smoking mj again and forget this awful career. Move to CO, WA, AK etc, work in a better career field and live happily ever after. If you think I'm joking, I'm not.
Then again, start working at a regional. It's so fun.
Start smoking mj again and forget this awful career. Move to CO, WA, AK etc, work in a better career field and live happily ever after. If you think I'm joking, I'm not.
Then again, start working at a regional. It's so fun.
08-28-2015, 11:30 PM
#6
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,003
Originally Posted by FlightIsLife
It was a huge learning experience for me and helped me to realize that I would never do anything (more) to jeopardize my career.
The legal violation will become a part of your past, as will the incident, but what you need to understand isn't that you put your career in jeopardy, but that you did a very foolish thing that risked lives, and showed deplorable judgement by electing to operate a vehicle in public while impaired (to say nothing of the choice to get impaired in the first place: pick up on end of the stick, pick up the other).
Your "career" involves employers trusting you with millions of dollars of their equipment and hundreds of millions of dollars of their liability. It involves passengers trusting you with their lives, and their children lives, and their parents, brothers, and sisters lives. What you're willing to do with a car is what you're willing to do with an aircraft; exercise poor judgment that puts equipment and lives in jeopardy. That's the realization. Your concern that it might affect your career should be far down the list.
Should you give up or stop flying for a while? No. Should you continue to reflect on this while you work on your certificates and ratings? Yes.
Applying for a job right now is irrelevant, as you lack the qualification. Focus on achieving your pilot certification and flight instructor certificate first, then concern yourself with applying for a job.
Most schools prefer their own students; do your training at a facility that has openings and adequate student traffic to keep you busy when you complete your training. Be honest and up-front with them about your background so that as you move toward certification, no one is surprised and everyone is onboard and comfortable with you.
In the meantime keep your nose clean, avoid even a parking ticket, and live in a way that you can show your determination and distance from your error. Actions speak louder than words.
08-29-2015, 03:54 PM
#7
Gets EVERY weekend off
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: SIC
Posts: 1,367
Originally Posted by JohnBurke
It sounds like your realization wasn't that you put lives in jeopardy by violating the law and driving impaired, but that you risked your "career."
The legal violation will become a part of your past, as will the incident, but what you need to understand isn't that you put your career in jeopardy, but that you did a very foolish thing that risked lives, and showed deplorable judgement by electing to operate a vehicle in public while impaired (to say nothing of the choice to get impaired in the first place: pick up on end of the stick, pick up the other).
Your "career" involves employers trusting you with millions of dollars of their equipment and hundreds of millions of dollars of their liability. It involves passengers trusting you with their lives, and their children lives, and their parents, brothers, and sisters lives. What you're willing to do with a car is what you're willing to do with an aircraft; exercise poor judgment that puts equipment and lives in jeopardy. That's the realization. Your concern that it might affect your career should be far down the list.
Should you give up or stop flying for a while? No. Should you continue to reflect on this while you work on your certificates and ratings? Yes.
Applying for a job right now is irrelevant, as you lack the qualification. Focus on achieving your pilot certification and flight instructor certificate first, then concern yourself with applying for a job.
Most schools prefer their own students; do your training at a facility that has openings and adequate student traffic to keep you busy when you complete your training. Be honest and up-front with them about your background so that as you move toward certification, no one is surprised and everyone is onboard and comfortable with you.
In the meantime keep your nose clean, avoid even a parking ticket, and live in a way that you can show your determination and distance from your error. Actions speak louder than words.
The legal violation will become a part of your past, as will the incident, but what you need to understand isn't that you put your career in jeopardy, but that you did a very foolish thing that risked lives, and showed deplorable judgement by electing to operate a vehicle in public while impaired (to say nothing of the choice to get impaired in the first place: pick up on end of the stick, pick up the other).
Your "career" involves employers trusting you with millions of dollars of their equipment and hundreds of millions of dollars of their liability. It involves passengers trusting you with their lives, and their children lives, and their parents, brothers, and sisters lives. What you're willing to do with a car is what you're willing to do with an aircraft; exercise poor judgment that puts equipment and lives in jeopardy. That's the realization. Your concern that it might affect your career should be far down the list.
Should you give up or stop flying for a while? No. Should you continue to reflect on this while you work on your certificates and ratings? Yes.
Applying for a job right now is irrelevant, as you lack the qualification. Focus on achieving your pilot certification and flight instructor certificate first, then concern yourself with applying for a job.
Most schools prefer their own students; do your training at a facility that has openings and adequate student traffic to keep you busy when you complete your training. Be honest and up-front with them about your background so that as you move toward certification, no one is surprised and everyone is onboard and comfortable with you.
In the meantime keep your nose clean, avoid even a parking ticket, and live in a way that you can show your determination and distance from your error. Actions speak louder than words.
In other news, I have a friend who had done some sketchy stuff in his past...hired without problem. You'll be fine, airline pilots aren't a bunch of choir boys...keep your nose clean, and work hard...show them you won't be a liability and they'll give you a shot.
08-29-2015, 04:37 PM
#8
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2014
Posts: 16
Appreciate the replies. They make me feel a little bit better about the near future.
I wanted to get started with my CFI soon. Im going to be doing some more research on flight schools myself, but in the meantime if anybody knows the names of some decent flight schools that hire their students, please let me know.
I wanted to get started with my CFI soon. Im going to be doing some more research on flight schools myself, but in the meantime if anybody knows the names of some decent flight schools that hire their students, please let me know.
09-03-2015, 06:08 AM
#9
whatever
Joined APC: Sep 2015
Posts: 421
You will not be able to fly to Canada for (I believe) 10 years because a DUI is a felony. Even after this time, Customs can still arrest you if they feel like it. (happened to someone I know 16 years later).
You can go through their legal system and try to get a waiver but this can take time.
So plan your carrer to stay out of Canada for a while.
As a previous poster said...own your mistake and make it the biggest life lesson you can. You can make a career...(at least in Corporate, not sure what airlines will say)....and It will follow you the rest of your working life but that just seves as a reminder not to screw up again.
Good Luck.
" But you remember one thing: if you screw up just this [pinches fingers for emphasis] much, you'll be flying a cargo plane full of rubber dog sh:7 out of Hong Kong!"
You can go through their legal system and try to get a waiver but this can take time.
So plan your carrer to stay out of Canada for a while.
As a previous poster said...own your mistake and make it the biggest life lesson you can. You can make a career...(at least in Corporate, not sure what airlines will say)....and It will follow you the rest of your working life but that just seves as a reminder not to screw up again.
Good Luck.
" But you remember one thing: if you screw up just this [pinches fingers for emphasis] much, you'll be flying a cargo plane full of rubber dog sh:7 out of Hong Kong!"
09-03-2015, 03:20 PM
#10
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,003
Originally Posted by Vital Signs
" But you remember one thing: if you screw up just this [pinches fingers for emphasis] much, you'll be flying a cargo plane full of rubber dog sh:7 out of Hong Kong!"
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
aaronjmsb
Flight Schools and Training
20
01-29-2016 01:45 PM
The701Express
Flight Schools and Training
4
07-13-2010 04:47 PM
