I’m not sure if I’m “allowed” to post here, as I am not currently enrolled with ATP. If I shouldn’t be posting, hopefully a mod will yank this post.
I am currently getting my preverbal ducks in a row to begin flight training with a goal of going pro.
I’ve interviewed several flight schools and decided to take the leap with ATP for the accelerated process due to my age. I’ve already been approved for financing, so that is taken care of.
I intend to purchase the Sportys ground school for PPL, Commercial and Instrument, as recommended on the ATP website.
Pretty much all I’m waiting on is the medical. It was deferred on 5/18/22. I received the request for information from the FAA on 7/14/22, and had the documents in their mailroom on 7/15/22.
Here’s the situation:
9 years ago (10 years in Feb 2023) I was arrested for DUI. The court process followed resulting in a conviction. The details don’t really matter other than to say I thank the Lord I did not injure anyone, or worse.
This mistake was my own, one which I reflect back on often. Since then I’ve not had any further legal concerns, and I stopped drinking after that night way back then and take. Other steps to ensure I don’t find myself in such a situation again.
I know no one here can give me info on the medical. Issuance is up to the FAA. They have a mission to keep the skies safe. I get that.
I’m hoping someone might shed light on me regarding airline (regional or major) employment. Assuming all other portions of an employment application are good, would a DUI on record be an automatic rejection by the airlines? Like, the computer sees the answer to the question and trashes it before it gets to someone’s desk?
Also, does anyone know if this history would preclude me from enrollment at ATP? I did not see anything listed on the prerequisites, but it might come up when I actually call to enroll, assuming my medical is given approval. I would not be surprised if ATP also had restrictions in place like the FAA does.
First and foremost, all are welcome regardless of status, even those training elsewhere. While this is ATPs forum, it was created by them simply as a tool for all aspiring pilots (they’re really good guys).
To answer your question while there are of course no guarantees, a DUI is not an automatic pass by the airlines (although it was not that long ago) nor with ATP. Provided you get your medical and you have in fact been squeaky clean for the last 9yrs (and remain so), you should be fine. You will most definitely be asked and you sound as if you accept responsibility for your actions which is big. I honestly wouldn’t let that deter me from moving forward.
With that in mind I’d save my money on the Sporty’s Ground School. ATP will provide you with all the training materials you need. The only thing we do recommend (if you’re able) is completing as many of the required FAA Knowledge tests you can prior to start. It’s definitely not a requirement but it will definitely lighten the load. I would however wait till you have your medical in hand until you start the exams. They do expire should the process get dragged out.
This forum is open to absolutely anybody, we are happy to have you on here, regardless of which path you end up taking.
To begin with, it is refreshing to see somebody that made a mistake, takes responsibility for it, learned from it, and has kept themselves on the straight and narrow going forward. I suspect that if you keep that attitude going forward, you will be fine with both the FAA and the airlines.
Thank you for your thoughts on my situation. I know every situation is different with different outcomes, that makes it hard for me since I’m a data driven person.
Ok, I get it on the ground school. I guess the website is referring to completing your writtens in between the time you enroll and the time you actually start training, using the resources they give you. That makes more sense!
Thanks, Hannah. I’m in a holding pattern (pardon the pun) right now, until the medical comes in. I’m hoping to hear something by the end of this month, if OKC’s timeline for response to paperwork is the same as their timeline for requesting paperwork.
Did you happen to do one of the partnerships with a regional while at ATP?
I did, I pursued three different cadet programs: republic, envoy and SkyWest. I went with SkyWest and commuted to tuition reimbursement at about 300 hrs. I was mentored along the way and had a preferential interview. I highly recommend exploring pathway programs.
Hi Carl! I would love to have an update on the situation with getting your medical. My husband is going through a very similar situation. One DUI 18 years ago and nothing since. Not even a speeding ticket. His medical got deferred in early August and we are anxiously waiting on a response.
I would also like to hear, had one when I was 17 and one when I was 18. Am now 37, AME information was submitted 08/16/2022. Current plan is to start ATP January 2, 2023 in Ft Myers. But reading how long FAA decisions take when you have these, plans may change.
Hi Terri and David,
I’m happy to give an update. Except, I don’t have much of one! The process so far has been long. I had mentioned before that I sent the requested items to the FAA on 7/15.
Shortly after that, I enrolled in AOPA at the level that afforded the medical certification advice. Once I did that, I called AOPA and spoke with them about my situation. They added me to a list of people they check up on with the FAA. I don’t know that this speeds the FAA up, but so far, AOPA has been able to get correspondence to me from the FAA, faster than waiting for the mail to come.
On 8/16/22, AOPA sent me a copy of the revised requests from the FAA. Frustratingly, everything they were asking for, I had already sent in. I called the FAA at that point asking for help, but the agent wasn’t helpful. I asked if I should just send in what I sent before and the response was “why would you do that if you’ve already sent it?”. We went back and forth. I ended up resending the “missing” items. This time, however, I put my information on every single page in the corner. I didn’t think to do that at the initial submission. AOPA let me know a couple days ago that it is in review at FAA.
So, hopefully I will hear something soon. I hope that y’alls submissions go smoother than mine!
Wow! Sorry this is taking so long for you! Keep us posted as things move through the process for you. Hubby’s still just says “transmitted” in the portal, but I can see where all of the documents have been scanned into his file. I will try to keep you updated on our progress as well.
OK - I have an update. We received a letter in the mail yesterday from the FAA. The letter asks for the court documents (which we already sent), and for a copy of his substance abuse evaluation from the event. Well, since this was in 2004, those records are long gone. So, not sure what our next step will be, but this is progress, at least!
Thanks for the update, Terri, I have heard nothing. I call the FAA about twice a week which is very hard to get through to a person, normally it’s just a message saying, “due to the current high call volume nobody is available to assist you.” I’ve gotten the same individual the last few times who says he puts a note in the system that I’m waiting, but its weird he never references his earlier note and is like didn’t you just call two days ago. I sent every requested document already so hopefully they look through carefully and don’t waste more of my time requesting things they already have. Getting close to my deadline to reserve my spot in early January so I’m getting nervous.
He has been trying to call and gets the same message. Although, in the portal, it instructs him to call because it has been more than 60 days. I feel like we are close to the finish line, but it looks like the FAA is just inundated with folks just like us right now. Sending good vibes your way, hoping you make your start date!!!
Hey David! OK. Finally an update. We submitted an email from the Sheriff’s Department saying that the documents the FAA was requesting had likely been purged, and that a subpoena would be required to even check (I mean… it was 18 years ago!). Sent that over on November 30th. Checked the portal today, and the decision has been made to issue his 1st Class Medical! Finally!!!
Awesome news! Mine got approved sometime in November, then I called ATP right away to see if January 2 was still available, unfortunately it was not plus I needed to wait for the paper copy to arrive via USPS anyways to reserve my spot. By the time the paper copy showed up it cost me a couple more weeks, I now start Feb 6th which is not what I wanted but at least now I control my own destiny which feels Great. Good luck to your Husband!
