Resigned due to Addiction, advice.
 

Hello everyone,

So not an easy topic for some, but I recently resigned from SWA in my first year due to dealing with addiction problems. I had tried take time off during the last few months I was as SWA, but my issues that were affecting my marriage, my family, soon came to affecting my job. I couldn't get much time off due being on probation, so I decided to resign to take care of myself and my family. I originally went to SWA, with the hopes of going to UAL or DL, but life happens and my addiction had different plans...

Now as I learn to heal and go through addiction programs, I eventually want to get back to flying, but feel being unemployed is going to lower my chances at getting back to an airline. Should I look at going to any other 121 operator, or going back to a regional (which may be quicker) to build more PIC time in order to get a chance with UAL or DL. I can always reapply to SWA after a certain time has lapsed, but not unless I really have to.

Thanks in advance for the help and advice from people who have or know people who have gone through the HIMS program or similar experiences.

Make damn sure that the addiction is under control/handled before you go fly again.

Assuming that is the case, absolutely keep yourself current at a 121 airline and move on with your career. When you get another chance be prepared to answer questions about why you resigned from SWA.

Choosing your health and your family was the right call and I am sure it was a hard one.

Hopefully you are getting good support through HIMS.
The best thing you can do is to get on with your life and own your issues. Make right the things that need to be made right and then get back in the game once you are healed and ready. There has literally never been a better time to step away from flying with the ability to step back in later. Good flying jobs take so long to achieve that it seems like they are the brass ring, but your family and your mental health are both way more important. Stick with getting that stuff right first and then worry about flying after that is right.

I was joking on my other post, but this is crayon eating retardaned

No

Go turf that 6 figure job and see how long the “ride or die” chick stays with you

And come the devorce, which is over 50% in America, and we’ll over 50% initially started by the woman, how do you think it’s going to work out when you go all “I’m a addict”

Next look up how courts rule in the husband V wife in everything from kids to money

HIMS is also a administrative punishment, it ain’t about health

Ether way, good luck and god speed dude

If this is a real weakness/issue, never never never admit it or say it, go take some “personal time” or a sabbatical to explore Europe, also talk to a attorney versed in FAA matters, and also talk to an devorce atty, keep everything off documents

this is the reality and brutal truth

Word. There’s some good advice in this post. First off, if there’s a divorce brewing then you might want to do that while you’re not making the big bucks so that she gets less (for now).

Second, go get that regional job and upgrade to captain pronto once your addiction is under control. Then check airman if you can. The money nowadays is insane. Of course, keep trying for your dream jobs in the meantime.

Me personally, I would spin having resigned from SWA as “had to leave due to family circumstances that made me unavailable to fly my schedule” or something to that extent. I would NOT admit to an addiction if the interviewing airline was not able to find out about it.

Your parent/child needed you due to a severe health problem, or your wife was about to divorce you and your marriage was in shambles, etc. Sorry, but if I’m to be honest, if I was interviewing candidates and heard the word “addiction”, it would be a red flag and I’d be worried about it reappearing in your life even after you kicked it.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck and all the best to you.

Jack is taking some time off, but I'm responding for the benefit of folks reading this.


No need to project on the OP, he didn't mention divorce at all.

IF divorce is in the cards, I would suspect you're better off doing it while unemployed and unable to hold a medical. Lot of states, the higher earning spouse pays. That could change when/if one gets back to the airlines, but who knows how long that will be?

If the Big D is on the table, call a lawyer.

Get help if you need it. Then HIMS is a mechanism to get your job back (which would otherwise not be an option). HIMS might even help you with the problem, YMMV. I know people who are very grateful for HIMS. Have also heard the horror stories about the HIMS Industrial Medical Complex.

Brilliant.

First continue to fly with a known medical deficiency, while getting treatment on the DL?

Then lie to the FAA (and the fed and DoJ) when you next fill out the medical form? Go read the threads in the Military and Health forums about the ongoing federal investigations... people are already getting emergency revocation orders, with federal indictments to follow. 5,000 pilots under investigation.


I'd suggest that step one in any such situation is call the union HIMS person... if you pull the HIMS lever BEFORE you get caught by TSA, the process is much smoother. I don't know but would assume that HIMS is available for probationers... otherwise it discourage getting help, which could lead to flying under the influence of something.

Get your medical back legally BEFORE you plan on any airline employment because it may not be quick or easy.

Did he lose his medical?
HIMS only requires if you get “caught” right?
You would never voluntarily get involved with career long testing.
I got the impression the OP bailed out before things spun out if control.

Did he mention substance use? For all we know this is gambling or shopping or sex