Congrats. Good luck with the CFI process... It tends to always take twice as long as you expect but the more work you put in to each lesson plan, the easier it will go. Its now all about teaching what you know, not answering how much you know.

 

You weren't kidding. CFI Initial checkride is by far one of the hardest things I've ever done. Passed it on the first attempt.

So, in a way this is also an update. The whole process took a bit longer than I had originally anticipated (partly to blame on Covid). That said, I also got to enjoy some time as a stay at home dad over the past 2 years.

Now I'm a FT CFI at a Part 61 Flight School (rumor is we may get back into Part 141 again soon). We'll see how long this leg of my journey lasts. Maybe 2 years, maybe I'll find some 135 operation before then? Who knows?

Regrets about the career change? Absolutely None.

 

Congratulations on your journey! Just found this thread, and have enjoyed catching up with your story! Currently starting my complex aircraft portion of training in my commercial license. Congrats again, and looking forward to hearing more as it happens!

 

I am 34 and looking at getting all of my ratings to pursue my dream of flying. When I was 17 I was arrested for DUI(reduced to reckless driving), and arrested at age 20 for running from the cops(also reduced to reckless driving). I have not had any issues in the past 15 years other than minor speeding tickets which were mostly dismissed. No criminal record just driving infractions. Do I have any chance of being able to get a job with a regional or major? Can airlines see tickets that were dismissed?

 

I would hope that that is enough time where it won't hold you back much, especially since both took place when you were young and there have been no issues since. As for the tickets, if they are outright dismissed, no need to report them. However if you pled them down to a lesser fine I absolutely would report them.

Makes sure you keep your nose clean (including checkride failures) until you are off probation at your career destination airline!

 

No problem for regionals.

Even majors are reasonably forgiving about youthful antics when you were very young (violence or theft not so much).

Be prepared to articulate what you learned, and how you've grown up. If you can honestly say that you no longer drink that would be good (don't fib though).

I'd be most concerned about the running from the cops part, that's what you'll need to address carefully. Get professional interview prep before any major airline interviews, and in your case I'd do that if you apply to a regional with guaranteed flow (since they'll be looking hard at background stuff before they hire somebody who will have near-guaranteed flow to mainline).

How many tickets and exactly how long ago?

Don't get any more tickets until you get hired at your career-destination job. Seriously. They need to see a sharp demarcation where you changed your habits and attitudes regarding rules... you career depends on them seeing a sharp break from your past.

 

Not a single one of my 30+ employers came by networking, and I've never been hired based on someone else.

A lot do it, but I've never had much but contempt for those who got their job because of who they knew, or because they bought it.

 

Wow, this is an incredibly silly and misguided mindset to have.

To anyone reading this: DO NOT be like this guy. Networking is a life skill, and your career will be greatly enhanced by engaging in it. Despite what this guy thinks networking is, it’s not nepotism, and it’s not a dirty word.

Human beings are social creatures, and networking is all about making that human connection. It’s an incredibly powerful tool that should not be shunned out of some bassackward sense of ‘honor.’

 

All of my aviation jobs have involved direct customer interactions (students or pax), leadership, and in some cases operational management too. People skills matter for that kind of thing.

Also if you have a good reputation, that gets around. At the upper levels EVERYBODY has recommendations in this industry, so lack thereof would probably stand out in and of itself.

 

It's become the curtain climber mantra that one must know someone to get somewhere in aviation. Absolutely untrue. I have never been hired based on internal recommendations, whether long term, temporary, seasonal, contract, or other employment. Not once. As I said, I don't have a high opinion of those who do, or those who buy their jobs.

I've never asked for a recommendation, and don't plan to. I don't drop names to get in. I find those who want to use me as a connection to get a leg up, to be offensive, and it's one sure way to lose my assistance. I'll bend over backward to help someone if they're sincere in their career aspirations, but I'm no fan of those who use others to get somewhere.

Networking is not a life skill. Schmoozing to climb the ladder is slimy...but a common practice.

Do this: be qualified, apply, and get hired on your own merits, instead of who you know. I've spent a lot of my nearly four decades on the job doing work in which one's qualification is established because one is still alive to do the job, and yes, it's a fairly small world in aviation. One's reputation, work history, and record is no mystery.

It's a good practice to leave any given job with an employer's letter of recommendation, simply as evidence that the employer is happy with the job done, but in most cases, I haven't bothered. If the next employer wants to know, he can call the former, and probably will. Records follow, and nothing is done in a vacuum.

Recently a friend moved to a new employer (a desirable one), and called me to discuss his experience. He asked if I'd like him to get me in. I thanked him for the offer and declined. I don't do that. I'm sure there are endless lines of those who are willing to prostitute themselves to do it, who are more than happy to get somewhere because of who they know. I've zero respect for them. I'm sure they don't care. I've far more respect for those who have earned their way, instead of bought it or rubbed shoulders or traded favors to get it.