Hello all! My name is Travis, and I've been a AP mechanic for about 8 years and looking into becoming a pilot. I am currently 26 years old. I've been researching heavily for about 2 weeks (including this forum) and my main concern right now is my drivers license. My history is as follows-

Speeding ticket when I was 16-dismissed due to faulty speedo
Speeding ticket when I was ~20 (out of state)-took defensive driving
Wreckless driving when I was ~19 (out of state)-got lawyer, reduced
Speeding ticket when I was 22 (in state)-got lawyer, reduced
Speeding ticket when I was 25 (out of state)-just paid it
Accident when I was 25..police report says speeding was a factor, currently in court for this one due to injuries.
Speeding ticket when I was 26 (out of state)-sent in not guilty, awaiting response.
Got a ticket for running a red light (close call) the other day (in state), plan on sending in not guilty, hoping to get it reduced to non moving.

I got a ticket for public exposure (p'ed outside when I was drunk), but was given a ACOD (goes away in 6 months if you don't do it again).

If I said all of this stuff in a interview, would my job chances suffer? I'm not about to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on training if this is going to kill my chances. Honestly, if the things that got reduced are not 'on my record', I don't plan on disclosing them.

Travis

All I can say...is be honest...slow down...and don't do it again!

So long as you don't lie on your background check (some places make you get a 3 year background check), you should be ok. But then again, I'm not a Chief Pilot...

Hopefully people will chime in and their responses will be in your favor.

Good luck Chief!
Lax

Is there any way to check your record to the same standards as a airline would? A good friend of mine is a high-profile lawyer, I guess I need to ask him.

At this point, the reduced wreckless driving is the thing I am most worried about.

what's with getting a lawyer. Just do the deal where you pay an extra $25 and it doesn't go on your record. BTW you have quit the list.

Just answer yourself this question:

Would you feel safe flying with someone who had your driving record?

Yes. But for right now, I want to find out what is on my record, and what is not. The reduced wreckless driving from 7 years ago has me concerned. I was young and stupid, learned since then.

you need to get a NDR report and then a state report. The more time you have before you interview the better...all is not lost. Don't get another ticket. Time without a ticket will help you. goodluck and don't get another ticket. If they ask during an interview be honest and the more time you have between your last ticket and the interview the better off you will be. We all mess up when we are young. But like I said the more time you have of being a model citizen the better your chances.

I am not sure I feel safe knowing I may be sharing the road with this guy none the less a cockpit.

Lets start with what you have not been cited for, go from there.

I know airlines just love guys that expose themselves. It just wreaks of professionalism.

Good Luck Dude.

I got drunk, and instead of DRIVING home (would never do that), I decided to WALK home. Had to pee, p'ed on the side of the road, cop drove by and nabbed me. Made a mistake. My town has 5000 people, it was 3am, roads were empty.

The good news:
-No DUI, assault, etc (keep it that way).
-You are still somewhat young.
-The pee-ing in public thing is not uncommon for pilots...I know two personally with that on their record (not me, I never got caught).
-It will take you probably about 2 years to go from zero to regional applicant...that gives you an opportunity to break your current trend and establish a new track record.
-The more time passes, the better off you are.


The bad news:
-The data that the federales and/or some private data bases have on your criminal/driving record may be unpredictable...even if it got purged locally, it may show up in another database somewhere. For this reason you need to be 100% honest about everything. Also be prepared to explain how you have grown up a bit since all that stuff happened.
-Your record does show some disregard for rules when operating vehicles...see how that could raise flags? When you interview be prepared to explain how you had a sudden realization that your behavior pattern has foolish and that you resolved to change. You will need to be pretty clear about this.


I would think in the long term you would be fine, but be aware that you might lose an opportunity or two in the beginning of your career (or maybe not). If that happens, don't let it get you down, someone else will hire you.