Felony convictions and airline pilot interviews

Recently, I've received quite a few letters regarding past felony convictions and how they might effect a future career as a commercial pilot.
There are two things to remember here:

1. To be hired as an airline pilot you must be able to hold a SIDA badge which provides the pilot unescorted access to the airport property, including any safety sensitive area.
2. How a previous police record is viewed by an interview board.

The first point is pretty clear. The Code of Federal Regulations cites 28 automatic disqualifiers for obtaining a SIDA badge. Below you will find that list. If an applicant has any of these disqualifiers on their record within the last 10 years they will be denied the badge.

The second point, how these convictions are viewed, can become a little more fuzzy. The interviewers will be looking for any trend which might elude to the person's character. Therefore, it is vital that the candidate be as open and honest as possible with regard to the infraction(s). He/she must be prepared to talk about each instance in full detail while taking personal responsibility for his/her actions. The time period between the infraction and the interview is also important. The conviction is a negative mark on the person's record already, so it is critical that they have absolutely nothing negative between the original infraction and the interview.

I hope this helps to answer some questions about convictions - please feel free to leave your comments/questions below.

Regards,
Lori Clark

www.flytheline.com

Below is the excerpt from the Code of Federal Regulations that pertains to obtaining a SIDA badge for unescorted access to airports.
A direct link to the CFR is:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_08/49cfr1542_08.html

§ 1542.209 Fingerprint-based criminal history records checks (CHRC).

(a) Scope. The following persons are within the scope of this section—

(1) Each airport operator and airport user.
(2) Each individual currently having unescorted access to a SIDA, and each individual with authority to authorize others to have unescorted access to a SIDA (referred to as unescorted access authority).
(3) Each individual seeking unescorted access authority.
(4) Each airport user and aircraft operator making a certification to an airport operator pursuant to paragraph (n) of this section, or 14 CFR 108.31(n) in effect prior to November 14, 2001 (see 14 CFR Parts 60 to 139 revised as of January 1, 2001). An airport user, for the purposes of this section only, is any person other than an aircraft operator subject to § 1544.229 of this chapter making a certification under this section.

(b) Individuals seeking unescorted access authority. Except as provided in VerDate Aug<31>2005 09:15 Oct 28, 2008 Jkt 214217 PO 00000 Frm 00331 Fmt 8010 Sfmt 8010 Y:\SGML\214217.XXX 214217 erowe on PROD1PC63 with CFR 322 § 1542.209 49 CFR Ch. XII (10–1–08 Edition) paragraph (m) of this section, each airport operator must ensure that no individual is granted unescorted access authority unless the individual has undergone a fingerprint-based CHRC that does not disclose that he or she has a disqualifying criminal offense, as described in paragraph (d) of this section.

(c) Individuals who have not had a CHRC.

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (m) of this section, each airport operator must ensure that after December 6, 2002, no individual retains unescorted access authority, unless the airport operator has obtained and submitted a fingerprint under this part.
(2) When a CHRC discloses a disqualifying criminal offense for which the conviction or finding of not guilty by reason of insanity was on or after December 6, 1991, the airport operator must immediately suspend that individual’s authority.

(d) Disqualifying criminal offenses. An individual has a disqualifying criminal offense if the individual has been convicted, or found not guilty of by reason of insanity, of any of the disqualifying crimes listed in this paragraph (d) in any jurisdiction during the 10 years before the date of the individual’s application for unescorted access authority, or while the individual has unescorted access authority.

The disqualifying criminal offenses are as follows—
(1) Forgery of certificates, false marking of aircraft, and other aircraft registration violation; 49 U.S.C. 46306.
(2) Interference with air navigation; 49 U.S.C. 46308.
(3) Improper transportation of a hazardous material; 49 U.S.C. 46312.
(4) Aircraft piracy; 49 U.S.C. 46502.
(5) Interference with flight crew members or flight attendants; 49 U.S.C. 46504.
(6) Commission of certain crimes aboard aircraft in flight; 49 U.S.C. 46506.
(7) Carrying a weapon or explosive aboard aircraft; 49 U.S.C. 46505.
(8) Conveying false information and threats; 49 U.S.C. 46507.
(9) Aircraft piracy outside the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States; 49 U.S.C. 46502(b).
(10) Lighting violations involving transporting controlled substances; 49 U.S.C. 46315.
(11) Unlawful entry into an aircraft or airport area that serves air carriers or foreign air carriers contrary to established security requirements; 49 U.S.C. 46314.
(12) Destruction of an aircraft or aircraft facility; 18 U.S.C. 32.
(13) Murder.
(14) Assault with intent to murder.
(15) Espionage.
(16) Sedition.
(17) Kidnapping or hostage taking.
(18) Treason.
(19) Rape or aggravated sexual abuse.
(20) Unlawful possession, use, sale, distribution, or manufacture of an explosive or weapon.
(21) Extortion.
(22) Armed or felony unarmed robbery.
(23) Distribution of, or intent to distribute, a controlled substance.
(24) Felony arson.
(25) Felony involving a threat.
(26) Felony involving—
(i) Willful destruction of property;
(ii) Importation or manufacture of a controlled substance;
(iii) Burglary;
(iv) Theft;
(v) Dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation;
(vi) Possession or distribution of stolen property;
(vii) Aggravated assault;
(viii) Bribery; or
(ix) Illegal possession of a controlled substance punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of more than 1 year.
(27) Violence at international airports; 18 U.S.C. 37.
(28) Conspiracy or attempt to commit any of the criminal acts listed in this paragraph (d).

Pilot Resume

Question:

Hi Lori,
Since I am still currently in college, the only jobs I have had have all been part time. I have been flight instructing over the last year and that is the only work experience I put on my resume. Should I include the other jobs?
Thanks for any input!


Answer:

Yes, absolutely you want to list the other jobs. While the flight instructing job is valuable - at this point probably the most valuable - the other jobs also have merit.
Listing your other positions will show a future employer that you are employable and responsible.
You don't need to venture into any jobs you held in high school, unless you feel those jobs will promote your strengths.

Hope that helps!
Lori

Regards,
Lori Clark

Should I rent a sim for an interview?

Question:
I have a 121 interview in a few weeks, but I haven't flown in two years. Should I rent a motion simulator and do some airwork and approaches so I can say I've at least done that?

Answer:
In recent past the regionals have struggled with hiring enough pilots to fill their rosters so if you have the minimums they may bring you in for the interview to evaluate "where the land lies"... if you will.
It is tough, if not impossible to gauge the quality of the applicant on paper alone. One of the rules of thumb that many regionals used to screen candidates was 100 hours logged in the last six months.

Having said that, if you haven't flown in two years then currency is of utmost importance, but proficiency is equally as important.
The airline will want you to be current, at the very least. But it's not just about the interview alone. You may be very sharp technically, but demonstrating it could be a different animal.

My advice is an emphatic "yes" you want to get some time in a sim - bring yourself back into currency at the very least. If the airline has a sim evaluation section of the interview then you will want to be ready.

The other side of the coin, which often times is not considered in advance, is that you will also want to be ready for training. Keep in mind that the interviewers are not just evaluating whether you would be a good fit for the company, but whether or not they feel you will pass their training program. Here's where proficiency enters. You might pass the interview, but how will you fare in training? If you haven't flown in two years I recommend an Instrument Proficiency Check or an IFR Refresher course. Knock off some of the dust that has been collecting over the past two years and get yourself ready - Failing training is much worse than failing the interview.

Good Luck with your interview!!

Regards,
Lori Clark

Family invited to pilot husband's interview

Question:
I am just wondering how common it is for the wife and kids to be asked to an interview. I have been with my husband to one of his interviews. They paid both our expenses too. It was a very nice experience.

My husband is now interviewing for a new job and they asked for the whole family to come. I am worried about one of my boys and what the CP will think when he meets him. My son is special needs. I just don't want the impression that my husband cannot handle the job because he has a disabled child.

Do you think there is a way we can bow out graciously and my husband still get the job? Or is this one of those we should do for my husband to show we are supportive of his career?
I just don't want to cost him a job because of our presence or our absence.

Answer:
Well, I have thought long and hard about your “situation,” and there are a couple of ways you can approach this. Both ways are perfectly valid, but maybe I can provide a little different perspective.

First, you can approach it from the “legal” standpoint and be suspect of the motivation of the company. However, along with this approach comes an air of superficiality from you. This includes coming across as the “Beaver Cleaver” family, complete with the picket fence, football captains, cheerleaders, Olympic athletes and rocket scientists. The legality of actually “interviewing” you and your family could come under question. After all, it’s your husband who is actually going to be performing the work – Why would they have to know what makes his family tick? But honestly, is it worth the worry?

A different approach, and one I encourage you to take, is one of welcoming the rare opportunity that you are being invited to participate in. Thirty years ago it was commonplace for airlines and aviation companies to invite the family to the headquarters for as much as a week in order to experience where the pilot of the family would be working. It ended up being a win-win situation, whereby the company was given the opportunity to “win over” the family, creating a situation where the family was completely on board with the employment opportunity being offered. Simultaneously, the company was able to gain real insight about the family dynamic that exists within applicant.

With changing economic times, a lot of the focus on the pilot being part of a bigger family (not just the pilot’s spouse and children) has gone by the wayside, and the phenomenon of the “aviation widow” has become more and more prevalent. I have to wonder if this company is trying to change that trend.

The opportunity you have to show off what a caring and warm family you have is a rare one, an opportunity that should be maximized. This appears to be a company that definitely goes above and beyond – imagine the expense and time involved in flying every applicant’s family out for a familiarization process! What a fantastic opportunity to let the “real you” shine. Your son with special needs is absolutely, unequivocally something to be proud of, and your absolute patience and support for your entire family is something you should hold your head high about, and make sure they see the authentic, caring and compassionate parents that you are. Nobody is perfect, and this company, like so many others, is looking to see the whole candidate. The difference between them and so many other companies is they appear to take an interest in the candidate’s family as well. That is unique.

Remember – you and your husband are interviewing the company, just as much as the company is interviewing you and your husband. They want to see exactly what you already offer.

It is truly anybody’s guess as to the motivation of the invitation. But, knowing that the ultimate objective of any company is to obtain a solid return on investment from each employee they hire, I would embrace the invitation to show them your family’s devotion to your husband’s career and in the end the company’s success. Have fun with it, don’t be suspicious about it, and let them see all that you are.

Regards,
Lori Clark

Should I take out a loan to pay for flight training?

Question:
As you know, the cost of flight school is quite expensive. Do you think pulling out a 40-60k loan would be wise considering that in the beginning of their careers pilots get paid very little. If pulling out such a loan isn't feasible what are my options in paying for school.

Answer:
Most advanced educations cost money, whether it is an education from a university (Doctorate, Masters) or advanced technical training from a medical school or flight school. The question thus becomes: will you reap the rewards of such education? Unfortunately, only you can answer that question.

Much like doctors, pilots start their career earning very little and continue to earn very little for quite some time. It is a “back loaded” career. so you must be prepared to hike the road of Top Ramen and Star-Kist Tuna before you feel like you have “arrived.”

Let’s face it, since deregulation people don’t fly for the money. They fly for the passion, the drive, the love and joy of actually piloting an aircraft. With this in mind, I ask you; why do you want to be a pilot?

If you truly desire to become a pilot and are faced with financing difficulties, I advise you to take the time to visit an aeronautical university. They have financial aid offices that are equipped to help you find the money. Some schools will also hire you as an instructor, or otherwise, to help pay for your education. You are going to have to pick up the phone and ask.

Wishing you the best in your endeavors...

Regards,
Lori Clark