I'd like to start by apologizing if this is an incorrect place to share this question

My situation is that I am currently hold a CPL (SEL) and recently been arrested for shoplifting(petty misdemeanor). I am very sorry for what I did and take full responsibility for my actions. I want to use this as a valuable learning experience to make better decisions in life for all actions. This is my first and only offense and will likely be dismissed and sealed in the state in of NY which means I will not hold any criminal or misdemeanor convictions as long as I do not do this again for 6 months.

My question is how will this affect me later in life and is it really worth anymore to follow my dream to be a major airline pilot?

I'm concerned on how this will affect my
First class Medical
ATP Pilot liscensing
TSA applications
Airline Interviews for Regional And Majors

I truly appreciate any help and advice. This is so very stressful to me. Thank you.

 

A long time ago, I flew with a captain that took a USA today that wasn't his. He went on and did some great things carrying folks around. I think you'll be fine...

 

Shoplifting, really?
It demonstrates greed and ****-poor judgment: Not many airlines or charter companies wants that kind of employee.
We all made bad choices as kids or teens before the brain was fully functional, to keep doing stupid sh!t as adults will most likely derail a flying career before it has even started.

 

Many years ago. i found myself in a Delta cockpit with ID, license and medical in one hand and my other hand extended asking for a ride.

I was told to put those easily forged items away ; )
and if i was in fact a real airline pilot -to show them a stolen USA today and as many hotel pens as i had on my person/in flight bag.

Apparently my collection was impressive, was given seat in FC.

 

Talk to an attorney to see if your offense will be discoverable. If it will not be discoverable then your ok. If it is, then only time will help your cause and you will have to own up to it the rest of your life. We all have done things that we shouldn't have and some have been caught and others have not. Anyone taking the high road here is kidding themselves. The most important thing is learn from it and move on.

 

Well, it certainly is going to gain you any points, but I wouldn't let it discourage you from following your dream. You most certainly can still become a major airline pilot.
It should in no way affect your medical, your ATP, you TSA apps (10 year back round). It will, however, definitely affect your interviews, and it should.

My suggestion: the old fashioned negative into a positive. Write a letter to the company that you stole from apologizing for your actions. Explain why you did it, and why you wouldn't do it again. Ask them if there is a way you can make amends, such as volunteering for them, or for an organization that they support. Through that experience, you gain valuable relationships and even letters of recommendation if you are sincere in your efforts.
If not this, consider volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club or Big Brother, etc, to be a positive role model in order to prevent others from heading towards crime.

 

Always tell the full truth on your applications. People make mistakes, don't compound it by lying about it hoping they won't find out. People get hired with DUIs, I'm sure you'll still get hired with a petty theft. If the charge on this is not final yet I would hire an attorney and try and have this reduced to a fine or some other charge that does not sound as bad. As much as it sucks to have to pay an attorney thousands of dollars over this, you would be much better off in the long run. You likely won't have a problem getting on at a regional, but getting a call from a major will be an uphill battle.

 

Did I steal candy when I was 3? Yes, and my mom has a funny story about that.

Would I have ever considered stealing anything by the time I was an adult with a CPL? Hell no. Hopefully he just turned 18, passed his CPL checkride on his birthday, and then went shoplifting to celebrate. A criminal history after teenage years is going to be a huge red flag.

The OP needs to SERIOUSLY evaluate his own thought processes and judgement. This history is completely at odds with what is expected of a professional airline pilot.

He seems concerned about whether this history can be discovered later...

The general consensus is to never lie about something like this to an airline. If they find out you lied, you will be fired for certain.

Also airlines may have access to criminal history information which is not available to normal private-sector employers. This has to do with the need to apply for a SIDA access, which is a federal law enforcement function. If a non-avaition lawyer tells you that it cannot be discovered, he might be wrong.

All that said, some regional will hire him even with the conviction.

As a misdeameanor, I don't think this will prevent TSA approval for SIDA access...but don't lie about it when you apply. That's a federal felony.

This will probably not be a big issue for an FAA medical or ATP. but don't lie about it when you apply. That's a federal felony.

 

VERY well said. High road...? Seriously?! I, too, find the OPs story a bit off. This wasn't getting caught sneaking some beers in college before you're 21. This was making a conscious decision to steal - as an adult. And if you weren't caught..? Different strokes for different folks, I guess...

 

This can go many ways.
No need to tell us but consider what you stole..

Loaf of bread because you're a broke @ss pilot and close to homeless?
A tank of gas to get to you minimum wage job?
The Iphone you mom wouldn't buy you?
The Xbox you couldn't afford because you like da ganja too much?


Can't promise you that everybody asks this question but I've seen a lot of 'have you ever been arrested" questions on applications.
And if they have another couple of hundred or thousand applicants..well...you ain't gonna get it.
Has nothing to do with fair or unfair.
Just the way the game is played.
Doesn't mean that you'll never get there, just predicting your road will be longer..much longer.