Need your help on this one: Pilot with a criminal record: Any hope in the aviation industry? :ugh:

Its all about the details and individual company policies.

One conviction for drunk & disorderly 10 years ago as a teenager would probably not be an issue.

Murdering grannys for their pension books would probably be a no-no.

Can also be an issue if you work for a carrier who flies into the states.

I thought when you went for a medical, you had to be "A person of good standing" or is that just in other parts of the world?

It depends on what part of the world...... In US if it's a conviction on a felony, an airline job is out but Africa, much more lenient...I would say the nature of the crime plays a big role..

Yup, if it's big enough you may even be able to run for govt office.

Let say I do get a job where it is required to do training in the States; will I be able to do the training there (keeping the "record" in mind)?

Why not apply for a US visa? If it's refused, then you have your answer.

I was accepted by the Royal Air Force with a criminal record - riding a bicycle without lights and brakes. However I think I blew my chances of a job here with my speeding fine in Maun just before Christmas - still sore about that one. How can I be trusted to reduce to 250 kts below 10,000 ft? :{

The USA "appear" to have access to criminal records from some European countries, & no doubt many others.
For sure there will be a question on your Visa application, which you must decide how to answer.
Whether they will have access to something that happened in Africa ? who knows.
Applying for a work Visa for Namibia, they require me to provide a criminal record from my country of nationality, & of residence (if different) if you are from there, I don't know what will be asked in order to obtain a crew-member-certificate /airport badge, you would have to ask someone employed in the country you are thinking of working, but I would imagine they would ask a clear criminal record from your home country. Best idea is to ask someone who is currently working where you wish to be employed, a lot of variation in exact requirements, & indeed in the UK for example, there are "disqualifying offences" (of which there are many, some rather trivial.) & others which will not prevent you holding an airside badge. It is not a simple Yes or No, but undoubtedly "could" cause you problems,or prevent your employment completely.
Good Luck anyhow :ok:

Again it depends on the conviction on whether you are allowed in or not. Small misdemeanors and you will be fine. But a bigger one... well you won't be allowed into the states.

Some countries will deny you a work permit based on any criminal record, I know for Saudi you have to have a clean police clearance. A good friend was denied a work permit for a 15 year old "conviction" for which he paid an admission of guilt fine, but it still showed up on his SA police clearance!!

There is an avenue in SA to get the record expunged, contact a lawyer and see what your options are.
It all depends on the nature of what you did.

I guess 20 lashes won't hurt that much. . . . . :eek: :{

I would say keep it a secret. Only reveal the truth about burning down your last miser bosses house when you start S&T renegotiations after your first flight. It may give you an upper hand during negotiations. Just remember, no smiling and make use of the thousand yard stare. Good luck.

I would say keep it a secret

Will not work if you have to get a certificiate of conduct from the police (also called police clearance certificate). You may not need it as a pilot, but many airports require that to issue you with an airport permit.

'I was accepted by the Royal Air Force with a criminal record - riding a bicycle without lights and brakes'


Seriously, this 'offence' gave you a Criminal record ?

Seriously, this 'offence' gave you a Criminal record ?

I thought that if I confesed to that they would not dig any deeper.

The three cases of embezzlement and one of fraud may have made them think twice about trusting me with a flight imprest and the squadron fund :E

Pah! Amateurs. Got done for impersonating a hedgehog and murmuring with intent....:E

Weren't you imitating a Starling, if you were "murmering" ? :rolleyes:

Nope. The hedgehog skin loincloth is what gave it all away...:suspect:

Let's not even go where the gerbils do.

'I thought that if I confesed to that they would not dig any deeper.

The three cases of embezzlement and one of fraud may have made them think twice about trusting me with a flight imprest and the squadron fund'



How do I spell Gullible again..