I have read many of the post concerning the criminal history topic. As I myself have made mistakes in my past that I regret, and have dreams of flying and making it to the majors one day. I was 21 years old when I was convicted of a misdemeanor. I am now 26 years old, and have lived a clean life. I have also graduated form college with a bachelors in business, and would love to pursue my dreams of flying. However I am concerned that my past will negatively affect my opportunities of becoming a career pilot. I would like to hear from the career pilots that frequent this forum, and those who may have held or assisted in the hiring of pilots. I would greatly appreciate their input and their point of view on the matter. I understand that much of this comes down to how much time has passed since the incident and if there is a pattern of poor behavior or not. However as much as I have grown and developed as a young man I cant help but feel the urge to reach out have my case reviewed.
The incident.
In August 2020 I visited a local island here in California on vacation. One of the nights I went out with a few friends. While at a bar I stepped out side to use an e-cigarette (bad habit…don’t worry I kicked it shortly after this). While I was standing out side two minors(female) approached me and asked to “hit my vape” I promptly said no. The the two girls continued to ask me, and it quickly turned into a back and forth of them asking and me saying no. This is where my lack of judgment and poor decision making gets me into trouble. As they continued to ask me I started teasing them with it. Offering it to them and then quickly removing from their reach. ( regret!!) It was harmless at first, at least I thought it was. Form this moment on the incident quickly escalated. One girl is specific was extremely irritated by my immature behavior and ripped the e-cigarette out of my hand and took off. I followed her about half a block away form the bar in an attempt to get it back. After few minutes of arguing with her she would not give it back to me and I grew ever more frustrated and lashed out and pushed the girl in the chest, as she stumbled back she tripped over a small planter box and received a good size bruise on her ankle. 3 months go by and I received a complaint in the mail for 1 count of misdemeanor child abuse and 2 counts of misdemeanor child molestation. No arrest, no calls from and investigator, just complaint in the mail. So I contact a lawyer and trying to find out what is going on. To make a complicated story a little shorter. The two girls accused me of following them unprovoked and try to “talk” to them. Then proceeding to " grope" them both. After this I explain everything to my lawyer straight up as honest as I could be. We appear in front of a judge and explain everything. And the case basically came down to both sides statements. Both parties had no evidence to support our claims other than the fact that I admitted to lashing out and pushing one of the girls. The prosecutor dropped all the charges and and I was then charged with a misdemeanor child endangerment, and placed on 3 years summary probation. The conviction is set to be expunged sometime in February.
I know that was a lot and maybe to much to be honest, but I really wanted to be upfront and get it all out there as I know its inevitable. I regret my actions very deeply and I’m ashamed that I would even act so poorly, but what’s done is done and I can’t undo anything. The only option I have is to learn from my mistakes and continue to grow and improve upon myself. I take full responsibility for my actions and what I did and there are no excuses.
So my question is, do I have a chance, or should I take my life in a different direction. Please be critical. Constructive criticism is what I’m looking.
That’s your answer. If you’re looking for guarantees (which you are or worse just think your “special”) there are none. There’s also no expunged when it comes to Fed background checks so you can forget that nonsense. Factor in this was a crime against minors and if one of the pilots on the panel is a father or grandfather like me you’re toast. Long short you’ll never know for certain until you actually interview and yes this could all be a big waste of time and money for you in the end. Actions have consequences.
I have two daughters. Call me old fashioned, but I was raised never to put hands on anybody else, especially a woman. If I heard this in an interview, I would be a hard “no”.
Thank you both for responding so quickly. And no Chris you certainly are not “old school”. As I look back on my action’s objectively, and review them through my own personal morals and values I come to a very similar conclusion. I was raised the same way! And there are simply no excuses for putting your hands on someone especially a minor. I hold these same values but I fell short on upholding them through out my own life. And I carry and lot of guilt and feelings of shame from them and rightfully so.
There definitely are consequences for your actions. No matter how much I regret it or detest my own behavior I will have to live with this. I have a major decision to make in whether to pursue this dream of mine or not. Part of me wants to get after it and pray that those sitting on the panel see me for who I am and judge me on my character, and the man that I am today. The other part of me the highly critical one knows that as a business that is in the public eye can’t afford to take the chance.
Any personal advice is welcome. Additionally is there any course of action that I can take to improve upon my chances of demonstrating that this is not an accurate representation of my character and my values. Can I do anything to make up for it in the eyes of the airlines.
Thank you again for your input although it is not what I wanted to hear I needed to hear it. So thank you.
I think this is going to be a hard one to bounce back from… Who’s to say you don’t lash out at a crew member or passenger because they’ve approached you in the wrong manner?
Thank you Brady and Robin for you input. It is appreciated. Brady, to answer your question. I guess I would say that wouldn’t “lash” out at people who have approached me in the wrong manner. After reading my post I certainly understand why anyone with a rational mind would have their doubts. I messed up big once and only once… maybe the my mistake is to big to come back from. But I have worked in the service industry all throughout high school and college, dealing with people that have been far from anything that could be considered appropriate. As I’m sure you can image. And not once have have I done anything like this. This was so far outside my character. Does that carry any weight in an interview… Idk.
I have a appointment with an AME next week. Fully disclosed everything on MedXpress.
We’ll see how it goes. I may also consult with a few pilot interview prep individuals as well as AOPA and see if they have any insight.
Your background isn’t ideal. There is no such thing as expunged. The FAA will know about it and you should always be honest disclosing it to future employers. Luckily, you have a degree. That helps. Typically when it comes to criminal convictions, hiring boards want to see at least ten years of a clean slate since the incident. You’re not quite there but by the time you get through training and time building you’ll be closer. At that point, the determining factor will be who’s on the hiring panel and how you explain yourself.
Good morning Brady I am currently looking into becoming a pilot and hopefully future airline pilot and was wondering if a DUI that happened 11 years ago will be a problem getting hired on once finished with school?
I did follow the process and take the diversion but I know they do a fed background check? Should i call the airlines and check before even starting the school? Thank you!
While we say putting time between the offence and potential hiring may help. Your first obstacle will be to acquire a FAA First Class Medical Certificate. Depending on the circumstances you could undergo some extra documentation and steps to acquire one. I would recommend reaching out to an AME and consulting about a medical. Secondly, reach out to a few recruitment departments (I am not part of a hiring board; therefore, will not be able to give you a yes or no).