DUI's and flying?

In article osQxb.341166$Tr4.1030000@attbi_s03,
Jay Honeck wrote:
My problem is that I have two DUI's and I don't know how that effects my
opportunities. Does anyone have any knowledge on this subject? I'm 23
years old
and I don't neccessarily have to be a commercial pilot, but I'd like to
fly.

If you are still a practicing alcoholic, the answer is "no".

However, even if you're now sober, I suspect you'll have a hard time getting
your 3rd Class Medical approved.

It seems to be hit and miss. Contact a local AME (aviation medical
examiner) you can find one by looking in the database at
http://www.landings.com and ask their advise/opinion. They are really the
ones that can tell you.
As for becoming a professional pilot... it's hard to say. Given the
large number of people that want to fly and have clean records their
airlines are not likely to go with someone with any DUI/DWI's. Part 135
thou could be a possibility, or becoming a full time CFI. From a
liability standpoint it's a huge risk.
But start buy calling an AME and asking about getting a class III
medical (private pilot) or join/contact AOPA (http://www.aopa.org) and ask
(I'm fairly certain you have to be a member to get advise on medicals
thou).

(Part86) wrote in message ...
I have no flight experience, but I'd like to persue some kind of career as a
pilot... I don't neccessarily have to be a commercial pilot, but I'd like to fly.
Thanks

To persue some kind of career as a pilot, you need to be a commercial pilot.

Alex

On 2003-11-28 18:53:32 -0800, (Koopas Ly) said:

To persue some kind of career as a pilot, you need to be a commercial pilot.

Trust me on this - when most people think of "commercial" pilots, they are thinking
"airline pilots". I know this because I get this all the time. I'm talking to friends or
relatives who know I fly for a living, or I'm introduced to someone who has just
learned that I fly for a living. Someone will invariably ask if I plan to "go commercial"
eventually. I've given up trying to explain that what I'm doing *is* commercial flying.
I just say, "Yes, I'm working on getting an airline job." I have learned that *that* is
the question they're asking.

"Koopas Ly" wrote in message
om...
(Part86) wrote in message
...
I have no flight experience, but I'd like to persue some kind of career
as a
pilot... I don't neccessarily have to be a commercial pilot, but I'd
like to fly.
Thanks

To persue some kind of career as a pilot, you need to be a commercial
pilot.

The way I read that is "I want to be a commercial pilot, but I don't have to
be,
just flying privately would be nice".

I have no flight experience, but I'd like to persue some kind of career as a
pilot. My problem is that I have two DUI's and I don't know how that effects
my opportunities.

You "may" get the medical, and then the training, and pass the exams.
Now you have invested many thousands of dollars but don't have a job.
For every low time pilot job vacancy there are LOTS of suitable and well
qualified candidates.
If you were in charge of recruitment, would you hire someone with 2
DUI's? That is whatyou need to consider before you invest the bucks.

--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Almost Instrument
Cessna 172H C-GICE

Actually the airlines have quite a number of alcoholic piltos...American
sent their problem drinkers to Hazleton Minnesota to a treatment center for
years and may still do so...
As to what this aspiring pilot can expect a lot depends on the timing of
the DUI's...If it's been a number of years ago that would work in his
favor...If it was 2 episodes close together at age 21 (or before) and he's
been sober since, that would be favorable togetting a medical
certificate....He should go the medical aviation examiner, complete the form
and DON'T LIE ! The examiner will take all the data and likely defer the
issuance to the FAA.
They will review it - it would expedite their handling of it if he has a
consulatation report from a alcohol/drug abuse counselor showing his
temperance and also participation in a 12 step or other "after-care"
program. If however there are ongoing issues, it would be more of a problem
in getting a medical certificate!
Anyone with a medical who gets convicted of DUI must notify the FAA as
well.
As for jobs - yes, the airlines and others are choosing from pools of
applicants...any blemish makes it more difficult...but entry level jobs-
cargo dogs, flight instructors, smaller corporate flight departments are
more commonly filled by personal recommendations and frequently
who-do-you-know and how well do they know you...so starting small, busting
your hump and staying sober will go a long way....eventaually as he has
hours and experience time will have passed... and his driving record may
have been cleanesed...can be done in some states after a period of
years...or governor's clemency (read political donation!) ...anyway, the
airlines generally only ask if you've had a DUI in the past X number of
years..generally 5 - 10...some sin committed in his youth and not repeated
in past 5 - 10 years may not be considered real relevant.
I know of someone who had 3 DUI's in his youth - saw the light, and now is
a first officer for a major carrier...it can happen - but it isn't easy!!
"tony roberts" wrote in message
news:nospam-7A690D.19315328112003@shawnews...
I have no flight experience, but I'd like to persue some kind of career
as a
pilot. My problem is that I have two DUI's and I don't know how that
effects
my opportunities.

You "may" get the medical, and then the training, and pass the exams.
Now you have invested many thousands of dollars but don't have a job.
For every low time pilot job vacancy there are LOTS of suitable and well
qualified candidates.
If you were in charge of recruitment, would you hire someone with 2
DUI's? That is whatyou need to consider before you invest the bucks.

--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Almost Instrument
Cessna 172H C-GICE

Actually the airlines have quite a number of alcoholic piltos...American
sent their problem drinkers to Hazleton Minnesota to a treatment center for
years and may still do so...
As to what this aspiring pilot can expect a lot depends on the timing of
the DUI's...If it's been a number of years ago that would work in his
favor...If it was 2 episodes close together at age 21 (or before) and he's
been sober since, that would be favorable togetting a medical
certificate....He should go the medical aviation examiner, complete the form
and DON'T LIE ! The examiner will take all the data and likely defer the
issuance to the FAA.
They will review it - it would expedite their handling of it if he has a
consulatation report from a alcohol/drug abuse counselor showing his
temperance and also participation in a 12 step or other "after-care"
program. If however there are ongoing issues, it would be more of a problem
in getting a medical certificate!
Anyone with a medical who gets convicted of DUI must notify the FAA as
well.
As for jobs - yes, the airlines and others are choosing from pools of
applicants...any blemish makes it more difficult...but entry level jobs-
cargo dogs, flight instructors, smaller corporate flight departments are
more commonly filled by personal recommendations and frequently
who-do-you-know and how well do they know you...so starting small, busting
your hump and staying sober will go a long way....eventaually as he has
hours and experience time will have passed... and his driving record may
have been cleanesed...can be done in some states after a period of
years...or governor's clemency (read political donation!) ...anyway, the
airlines generally only ask if you've had a DUI in the past X number of
years..generally 5 - 10...some sin committed in his youth and not repeated
in past 5 - 10 years may not be considered real relevant.
I know of someone who had 3 DUI's in his youth - saw the light, and now is
a first officer for a major carrier...it can happen - but it isn't easy!!

This is encouraging advice, thanks. I didn't expect to get so many replies. I
think I will take a couple lessons and see if it's truly something I want to
dedicate myself to (if I love it), and if I want it badly enough I will
overcome the added challenge. If I'm not that passionate about it then it
doesn't make sense for me to persue it. I figure by the time I am elligable for
a job as a pilot for an airline, it will be about 6 years since my last dui and
I can try and make some friends and connections in that time. What do you
think?

Part86 wrote:

This is encouraging advice, thanks. I didn't expect to get so many replies. I
think I will take a couple lessons and see if it's truly something I want to
dedicate myself to (if I love it), and if I want it badly enough I will
overcome the added challenge. If I'm not that passionate about it then it
doesn't make sense for me to persue it. I figure by the time I am elligable for
a job as a pilot for an airline, it will be about 6 years since my last dui and
I can try and make some friends and connections in that time. What do you
think?

Sounds like the right approach to me.

George Patterson
Some people think they hear a call to the priesthood when what they really
hear is a tiny voice whispering "It's indoor work with no heavy lifting".

On Sat, 29 Nov 2003 13:11:27 -0500, "G.R. Patterson III"
wrote in Message-Id:
:

If I'm not that passionate about it then it doesn't make sense
for me to persue it.


If you can even think, yet alone utter that sentence, you probably
will be unwilling to make the necessary sacrifices.

In article CUVxb.250224$275.923639@attbi_s53,
"JSF" wrote:

Actually the airlines have quite a number of alcoholic piltos...

That may be so, but given the state of the airline industry, and the
number of good, highly qualified pilots who have been laid off, and the
number of newly graduated commercial pilots who are still looking for
their first job, I suggest that any 23 year old with 2 DUI's is at a
huge disadvantage - and if he has not yet invested any money in
training, then this is a good time to make him aware of that fact.

--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Almost Instrument
Cessna 172H C-GICE