Hi all, wanted to reach out because I am extremely interested in becoming an airline pilot. A little background info… I am a 32 year old pharmacist. I made a really stupid mistake at my previous job and my pharmacist license is on the line. I was fired for gross misconduct from my job. There could be potentially criminal charges also (not really drug diversion or theft, more like insurance fraud type charges and at this point I have enough shame/remorse I want to leave pharmacy altogether. I know the journey to becoming an airline pilot is not easy and it is also a significant financial investment. I would hate to waste the time/finances to be denied a job due to the pharmacy incident. Can you provide some insight as to whether a non aviation related termination/potentially criminal background may jeopardize my potential of becoming an airline pilot? I appreciate your time, thanks so much.
John,
We get these kinds of questions all the time. They are hard to answer because it honestly just depends! Every situation is different. The previous work experience as a pharmacist is impressive. Unfortunately that’s where the positivity ends because future employers will call your previous managers to inquire about your termination. It will come up and you’ll need to be very careful how you respond. You chose to break the law in the profession you were trained in at 32 years old. That’s going to be a hard thing to overcome. What would stop you from making a similar choice with a multi million dollar jet and dozens of lives aboard.
I’m not saying there’s no chance but it really depends on the hiring climate at the time, when the floodgates are open, recruiters are less picky. However, when the job offers start to slow, suddenly they have a handful of offers and hundreds of pilots to choose from. Now they’ll be more selective.
You could call the recruiters of a few regional airlines and see how they react to test the waters. Ultimately no one has crystal ball so you’ll have to make a decision on how badly you want to pursue this career, what you’re willing to sacrifice to get there and what kind of flying will ultimately make you happy. If any kind of flying would be enough for you, well you’ll probably be able to find that. But if an airline captain at a legacy is the only flying that will make you satisfied, well you might not make it there. That’s the pinnacle and not all pilots make it that far even without a criminal background.
Hannah
Hannah, thank you very much for taking time out of your busy day to respond. I have some thinking to do. I believe personally I would aspire to be a pilot at a major airline and I see from some statistics that the demand for pilots is on the rise. Some stats show there may be a 30,000 pilot shortage by 2030. However it may not be enough to justify spending near 100k for training to possibly be denied. I did want to ask if I was to pursue this pathway and get hired to fly for a regional airline for a period of time, would that increase my chances to getting to the majors? Again thank you for your response, it is very much appreicated.
John,
Before you make any move you need to know the answer to the above. The FAA asks if you have any convictions as they’re really not fond of them.
Further, shortage or not, the airlines aren’t huge fans of entrusting a $50mil airplane AND the lives of hundreds of passengers to someone fired and convicted of “gross misconduct”. Both the airlines and the FAA want people who follow the rules to the letter and you didn’t do this when you were a 16yo kid. I’m also don’t buying you’re leaving pharmacy due to your “shame/remorse”. I’m thinking the words out and no one will touch you.
Honestly I think Hannah is overly optimistic and if I were on your hiring panel (which Ive done) you’d be a HARD no.
Adam
False. The investigation at this point is still confidential and my attorney has mentioned I still have a chance of winning the case/keeping it confidential. (Knock on wood). Thanks for making such a pessimestic assumption. I know youre not here to sugarcoat anything and I appreciate that but damn man you must be so much fun at a party. Smh
PS Adam if youre any indication of what Id have to sit next to for 8 hours at a time hard pass on the whole career.
John,
First off I’m happy to see you’re doing much better with the whole “shame/remorse” thing. Sounds like you definitely got that beat!
Second I’m sure you’re right (don’t know what I was thinking?), I’m certain the pilot shortage will get so bad the FAA will forget their whole silly “must be of good moral character” provision and the airlines so desperate they’ll make pilot a “work/release” prison program. Just make sure WHEN you’re asked about being fired for “gross misconduct” (because there is no “confidential” in Federal background checks) you answer exactly like above. Trust me they’ll love it!
Finally truth be told I’m not much fun at parties and really don’t go to many (you however sound just delightful). I did attend one just recently and had a wonderful time. Sadly it didn’t make me any more pleasant to fly with. Hannah was actually there and is probably questioning her career choice as we speak…
Peace out
Adam
John,
When filling out any job application, you are asked if you were fired/terminated or left on your own, you will have to respond as accordingly. Furthermore, the future employer will more likely contact your previous management.
There most definitely will be another vast hiring wave here momentarily, there are thousands of retirees happening each year amongst all the airlines. While that means more job opportunities, that doesn`t mean the minimums of requirements will shallow; there will be some competitiveness to hiring as airlines will still want to hire the “best” applicants for them.
Like Hannah I would recommend reaching out to both the regional and major airline recruiting departments, giving them an oversight. You however state there could be further charges etc., so until you have a big picture, it’s very vague right now and anything can sway.
Brady
Hey Brady,
I appreciate your response. I will consider everything you included in your message and will definitely wait to see how my case goes. If all goes well and I’ve only got a termination on record instead of criminal charges I will consider reaching out to the regional and major airline recruiters for further info. Thanks again, have a good one.
John,
The airlines are really big on following rules, it sounds like you were not in your job. You will at some point need to answer questions about why you left your pharmacy career and if I heard what you just laid out, I would absolutely pass on your application.
Furthermore, whether Adam made an incorrect assumption or not, you overreacted. Yes, there are many times in this career that you will sit next to people you do not care for, it is just a fact of life. You need to be able to handle some criticism and not think of quitting the career over it.
Chris
Chris, thanks for the advice. I am clearly not fit for this job. Thanks for your insight. Regarding overreacting Im not sure I did. Adams comment at the end was filled with condescending overtone. If you give me your respect you get it right back simple as that. Again thanks for the comment.
Adam was giving you an honest answer before you spent $100k on flight training. There are other flight schools and web forums that will sell you sunshine and rainbows all day long. We give honest answers that actually seek to benefit you.
The airlines run in a para-military like structure, meaning that you must show respect to those that are above you, even if you disagree with heir message or the tone it is delivered in. I got along great with most of the Captains that I flew with when I was a co-pilot, but some really got on my nerves. I still called them “Sir” and respected their position.
This thread is closed.