Future Pilot/Past Employment Issue
08-24-2016, 04:46 AM
#1
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Joined APC: Aug 2016
Posts: 1
Future Pilot/Past Employment Issue
I am currently debating on pursuing my degree and becoming a pilot.
I was a Flight Attendant for a major airline for 3 months (training) and 4 months (FA on the line) and was on probation. In total 7 months.
I was on a rotation and was with a crew of 3 and went out, drank and came back to hotel. Asking our Hotel Front Desk staff, what time was our pick up for departure. He stated the wrong time (there was another crew staying at our hotel.) Original pick up time was 4:35 AM but he told us 5:15 AM pick up.
So then me and another crew member was going to the airport and try to make it to the gate.
But the front desk staff was on the phone with the company crew tracker, and he stated to me over the phone (the crew tracker) to stay back and wait for further directions.
We stayed for almost 3 hours. Then the tracker called and told us to head to the airport. When we were going into KCM a base station manager waited for us and asked for us by name. And asked us "what happen" and we told him the story and then asked if we were fit to fly? and we replied yes. Then he said "there is reasonable suspicion that you maybe illegal to fly and intoxicated" and we complied for a DOT Drug and Alcohol test.
When we were waiting and waiting finally the tester came. The other crew member blew first and she blew 0.0264 Positive (blowing over the limit) illegal.
Then I blew 0.00 Negative (meaning I had no alcohol in my system) so then they dead headed us to our base. And questions us separate from each other. They suspended me without pay, took all my company belongings.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter: 8/29/2015
Dear (Name),
This notice is to inform you that you are being suspended without pay for the reasons we discussed on 8/29/2015. This suspension is effective 8/29/2015 pending review for continued employment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flew us back to our home. The other crew member had to go to rehab. And I just waited and waited. A month later they came to our airports and terminated her and a day later me. Here is the letter.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter: 9/18/2015
Dear (Name),
The decision has been made to terminate your employment. You have the ability to resign in lieu of termination. Should you choose to resign, you must advise your leader of that decision within 24 hours of the time your received the letter. If you decide not to resign, your termination will be effective the date of this letter for the reasons discussed with you on 08/29/2015.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, now here I am wanting to go to school to become a pilot and also fly for a carrier. I found out that I can never work for this specific carrier ever again. Non-rehirable.
What should I do?
I asked the director of the program about what to do, and he said to clear the record with the airline and figure out what they say and do. Anybody ever in my position?
Help me please!
I was a Flight Attendant for a major airline for 3 months (training) and 4 months (FA on the line) and was on probation. In total 7 months.
I was on a rotation and was with a crew of 3 and went out, drank and came back to hotel. Asking our Hotel Front Desk staff, what time was our pick up for departure. He stated the wrong time (there was another crew staying at our hotel.) Original pick up time was 4:35 AM but he told us 5:15 AM pick up.
So then me and another crew member was going to the airport and try to make it to the gate.
But the front desk staff was on the phone with the company crew tracker, and he stated to me over the phone (the crew tracker) to stay back and wait for further directions.
We stayed for almost 3 hours. Then the tracker called and told us to head to the airport. When we were going into KCM a base station manager waited for us and asked for us by name. And asked us "what happen" and we told him the story and then asked if we were fit to fly? and we replied yes. Then he said "there is reasonable suspicion that you maybe illegal to fly and intoxicated" and we complied for a DOT Drug and Alcohol test.
When we were waiting and waiting finally the tester came. The other crew member blew first and she blew 0.0264 Positive (blowing over the limit) illegal.
Then I blew 0.00 Negative (meaning I had no alcohol in my system) so then they dead headed us to our base. And questions us separate from each other. They suspended me without pay, took all my company belongings.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter: 8/29/2015
Dear (Name),
This notice is to inform you that you are being suspended without pay for the reasons we discussed on 8/29/2015. This suspension is effective 8/29/2015 pending review for continued employment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flew us back to our home. The other crew member had to go to rehab. And I just waited and waited. A month later they came to our airports and terminated her and a day later me. Here is the letter.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter: 9/18/2015
Dear (Name),
The decision has been made to terminate your employment. You have the ability to resign in lieu of termination. Should you choose to resign, you must advise your leader of that decision within 24 hours of the time your received the letter. If you decide not to resign, your termination will be effective the date of this letter for the reasons discussed with you on 08/29/2015.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, now here I am wanting to go to school to become a pilot and also fly for a carrier. I found out that I can never work for this specific carrier ever again. Non-rehirable.
What should I do?
I asked the director of the program about what to do, and he said to clear the record with the airline and figure out what they say and do. Anybody ever in my position?
Help me please!
08-24-2016, 07:32 AM
#2
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,003
In a DOT safety position where drug testing is required, failure of a drug test, or refusal of a drug test is one of the most serious offenses that you can have. You'd almost be better off running naked down the aisle in the airplane and getting fired for that. It would be an easier issue to clean up.
In this case, it sounds like you weren't intoxicated when tested, though you did have an issue arising from intoxication. It sounds like the hotel staff may have reported you as intoxicated, though you tested negative. Your account doesn't indicate that you were late for the flight, but it seems to imply that the actual issue for you wasn't the intoxication, but the lateness, caused by drinking the night prior (and failure to ensure your show time for your trip).
Both the letter excerpts that you posted refer to what was "discussed with you" on 08/29/2015, but nothing specifically states what was discussed. The matter can't really be addressed without knowing what was discussed, because that's the basis for your termination/resignation.
You need a copy of your alcohol test. You need copies of all the paperwork, and need to have a detailed account of what happened, and what was discussed.
Were you covered by union representation at the time? Did you have any legal counsel? You should have,and if not, you should seek legal counsel prior to moving forward. If you were terminated (or resigned) for being intoxicated but tested negative, you may have a good case for clearing your record. If you were fired (or resigned) for reasons associated with the situation that don't depend on an alcohol test, you may not be able to clear up the matter.
As an aside, look at your grammar; it will be important for you when seeking employment as a pilot. "So me and another crew member was going" won't work. If you're pilot qualified presently, and looking for work, then make changes to your proof-reading and diction now. If you're thinking of starting flight training, back off the drinking and look closely at your grammar as you move forward.
You do need to talk with an attorney, probably before revealing additional details of your separation from the company on this site (or any other), and you should clear this matter if it's clearable. Your post doesn't indicate whether you were terminated or whether you resigned. One implies the other, but they are not the same. You should also look closely at your alcohol consumption, and consider changing your drinking or scaling it back, especially when working (or in the field, especially when on probation). Note that the fact that you were on probation and subject to termination for any reason does put you in a more tenuous position.
If you're unable to clear the matter, you may be best representing it for that it appear to be presently: termination (or resignation) for tardiness to a flight, rather than for an alcohol offense. Your post doesn't indicate the actual reason or what was discussed, but if it wasn't for alcohol or intoxication, that's to your benefit. You should have a copy of your company records. If you don't, an attorney may be able to help you with that.
In this case, it sounds like you weren't intoxicated when tested, though you did have an issue arising from intoxication. It sounds like the hotel staff may have reported you as intoxicated, though you tested negative. Your account doesn't indicate that you were late for the flight, but it seems to imply that the actual issue for you wasn't the intoxication, but the lateness, caused by drinking the night prior (and failure to ensure your show time for your trip).
Both the letter excerpts that you posted refer to what was "discussed with you" on 08/29/2015, but nothing specifically states what was discussed. The matter can't really be addressed without knowing what was discussed, because that's the basis for your termination/resignation.
You need a copy of your alcohol test. You need copies of all the paperwork, and need to have a detailed account of what happened, and what was discussed.
Were you covered by union representation at the time? Did you have any legal counsel? You should have,and if not, you should seek legal counsel prior to moving forward. If you were terminated (or resigned) for being intoxicated but tested negative, you may have a good case for clearing your record. If you were fired (or resigned) for reasons associated with the situation that don't depend on an alcohol test, you may not be able to clear up the matter.
As an aside, look at your grammar; it will be important for you when seeking employment as a pilot. "So me and another crew member was going" won't work. If you're pilot qualified presently, and looking for work, then make changes to your proof-reading and diction now. If you're thinking of starting flight training, back off the drinking and look closely at your grammar as you move forward.
You do need to talk with an attorney, probably before revealing additional details of your separation from the company on this site (or any other), and you should clear this matter if it's clearable. Your post doesn't indicate whether you were terminated or whether you resigned. One implies the other, but they are not the same. You should also look closely at your alcohol consumption, and consider changing your drinking or scaling it back, especially when working (or in the field, especially when on probation). Note that the fact that you were on probation and subject to termination for any reason does put you in a more tenuous position.
If you're unable to clear the matter, you may be best representing it for that it appear to be presently: termination (or resignation) for tardiness to a flight, rather than for an alcohol offense. Your post doesn't indicate the actual reason or what was discussed, but if it wasn't for alcohol or intoxication, that's to your benefit. You should have a copy of your company records. If you don't, an attorney may be able to help you with that.
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