DUI and the FAA
 

Friend of mine got pulled over and charged with DUI last week. Refused the breath test and was held for 24 hrs.
Had another incident about 10 years ago, was aquitted at trial.
Is his medical in jeopardy?
I had always been told the FAA thinks 2 incidents in 5 years is bad, but he is kind of worried about it.
Anybody in the know?

I know that if there is any DUI presence in the background check, airlines will not be hiring him. You can't be a pilot with a DUI, but you can be a cop :)

Not smart to refuse a breathalyzer. Most states have Implied Consent laws and I believe its in the FARs as well. There was a chance he could have passed, but by refusing he is going to have a hard time fighting the charge in most states. His medical should be safe, but if the FAA goes after something, it will be his certificates. Talk to an aviation lawyer. I believe AOPA also has legal advice if either of you are members.

Pilots please invest in the keychain breathalyzer(Brookestone, skymall ) go to the bar get hammerd right away and just chill the rest of the night. If he would have had it at least he would have known to take it or not. DAMN DAMN DAMN. I feel for ya.

It is called 2 MVAs in a period of three years. Refusing a breath test is also considered an MVA. The deal with refusing is he will HAVE TO (MUST) submit the refusal on the appropriate form within 60 days of the date of refusal.

He should not be in jeopardy if that time frame is truthful. However these are guidelines. The FAA can do anything they want.

If he has had 2 MVAs in the past 3 years, the FAA can and will most likely suspend his medical. There is a way to beat this through a company that specifically deals with this and other medical events.

If you have any other questions, please PM me, I can give you a contact number, website etc.

Good Luck to your Buddy,

AA


Here is a link with excellent information

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...airmen_duidwi/

Get a lawyer. Still wish people would think about the consequences before they drink and drive. It's a whole lot cheaper to call a cab than a lawyer... I hope it works out well for him. Your DL could be suspended if you refuse to blow in some state.

Wow.

It might cost, at most, $50 for a cab ride if you have to go from one side of town to another. Yet people still get in a car and drive drunk. This guy probably just screwed his career, cost himself thousands of dollars in fines, probation, suspension of drivers licesnse, court and attorneys fees, etc.

What's worst, he could have easily killed somebody innocent. Sorry, but I have no sympathy for anybody that gets a DUI/DWI these days.

I'll 2nd the whole post there. Pretty much says it all. I'm not against having a drink(or many), just as long as it doesn't jeopardize someone else's life.

I don't!
Yank his driver's license and let him try again in a year.

You guys come across as rather "high and mighty". You do not know what exactly happened to him, so do not judge, I take it all of you have never had a beer or two and then gotten in your car...

Am I against drunk driving, "yes", would I recommend getting a cab, "yes". However people of "ALL" walks make mistakes in life. Please realize there are many things we as humans can screw up on, how we handle it and or how we judge the situation "defines" who we are.

I hope he learns from his mistakes, however I do not wish someone's career down the drain. If he repeats this mistake then he needs help, and I hope he gets it. These are why there are programs set up at our respective airlines.

As a pilot how works with the HIMS program at my airline, I have seen many different cases.

We "ALL " can fall in life, how about offering a hand of help, rather than a "spit" in your face mentality.

AAflyer

P.S. I do not have a DUI, I am not doing this becuase of my past, it was the way I was raised. Pilots helping Pilots.