DUI

[Avmax]

Scared too ask but how does this afect ones career

[Doc]

You didn't.
If you did, I don't have to belittle you. You've done that yourself.
Long story short. You're on foot for a year. This includes motor boats and skidoos. Buy a good mountain bike. At least you'll get in shape. The total cost with lawyers, insurance increases, taxis etc. will likely be 100K over a 10 year period.
You will not be able to acquire/renew a passport.
You will not be able to cross the U.S. border.
You will be a "bush" pilot, until you can apply for a "pardon". Look into that, but I think you have to wait five years.
You have shot yourself in the foot.

[pika]

Welcome to avcanada. Hell of a first post. Ouch.

Scared too ask but how does this afect ones career

Should read, Scared to ask, but how does this affect one's career?

What was your so called "career"? Illiterate pilot wanna be? Lots of those to go around so don't worry; you'll be fine. Shovel operators are always in short supply. Just hope your crew chief doesn't ask you to drive some day. Mind you, I think I needed a driver's licence to work a shovel many years ago. $60 000 for training divided by $16/hr equals...

Two quotes I can offer:

"If you think $20 for a taxi is expensive, try a DUI".

"You have to be insane to drink and drive in this country". (That from a lawyer)

Good luck.

[aviator2010]

Not good for the careere or carrer or carierer...................If your new to aviation don't worry about it work on getting a flying job in the bush by the time it matters you'll be just beyond the minimums for what airlines are hiring at now. get a pardon and move on.

if you don't like that option the world needs ditch diggers too (you would be suprised at how much more money you will make over a carrer or cairerrer watching airplanes than flying them)

If you've been in the industry a while you already know the answer.

To those who tell you, your dumb and you should be ashamed, tell them their not telling you anything you don't all ready know hopefully.

not that I'm supporting drinking and driving but who over the age of 25 hasen't done it?

[Meatservo]

Welcome to avcanada. Hell of a first post. Ouch.

Scared too ask but how does this afect ones career

Should read, Scared to ask, but how does this affect one's career?

What was your so called "career"? Illiterate pilot wanna be? Lots of those to go around so don't worry; you'll be fine. Shovel operators are always in short supply. Just hope your crew chief doesn't ask you to drive some day. Mind you, I think I needed a driver's licence to work a shovel many years ago. $60 000 for training divided by $16/hr equals...

Two quotes I can offer:

"If you think $20 for a taxi is expensive, try a DUI".

"You have to be insane to drink and drive in this country". (That from a lawyer)

Good luck.

It warms the cockles of my withered heart to see someone as concerned about spelling as I am. Well done, Pika.

It's OK to be a "bush" pilot, Doc. The DUI is pretty shameful, I admit, but don't use being a "bush" pilot as a deterrent. Some of us like it here in the minor leagues.

[pitchdoctor]

Go find a lawyer who specializes in this matter . Spend the 5000$ to 8000$ . He will get you off if its the first time . This is the cheapest way to go .

[Prairie Chicken]

If there is a conviction, the judge has descretion as to whether to include operation of an a/c in the prohibition. Talk to your lawyer about that. Your chances of being allowed to retain your licence are better if your cpl is your means of support (i.e., your work).

[Inverted2]

I know of 2 pilots who got caught a few years ago and spent a lot of $$$ on lawyers and beat the charges but it cost them a lot of money!

[Just another canuck]

Go find a lawyer who specializes in this matter . Spend the 5000$ to 8000$ . He will get you off if its the first time . This is the cheapest way to go .

Best advice so far... I also know of a guy who got one, but could continue to fly because it was his job. This usually goes for bus drivers and taxi drivers alike. Anyway, get the lawyer and get off if you can. I think Doc said 5 years for a pardon... I thought it was 3. I'm sure it depends on the charge but they aren't always granted either, depending on your history. And, they can also be revoked at a later date if you screw up with the law again.

Good luck.

Although what you did was stupid, with the exception of a few, everybody here has drank and drove... you were just unfortunate enough to get caught. Chin up... it's not the end of the world.

Cheers.

[flyinthebug]

3 years to pardon if summary conviction (usually is the case on 1st DUI) and 5 year wait if you were indicted.

As Prairie Chicken pointed out, you may be able to keep your ticket if you have the right (most expensive) lawyer. You should KNOW better!, but that said, its not the end of the world. A good buddy of mine was done with DUI, and the judge let him keep flying but restricted him from every other motorized vehicle for a year. Its gonna cost you, but then again stupidity always does.

Fly safe and SOBER!

PS.. Im with meat on this one Doc.. I happen to enjoy the "minor leagues" as well

[KAG]

I know a guy who got a DUI. 10K worth of legal fee's later he got off to a lesser charge.
You did something stupid and got caught. It's not the end of your career, but it is a (expensive) speed bump.

[Doc]

I didn't mean "bush" pilot in the sense everybody seemed to take it. I'm a "bush" guy myself.
But, with a licence suspended, it might be easier to commute in a smaller community on a Trek, than say YYZ or YYC.
I've known several pilots who have had DUI convictions, and it never included their pilot's licence. One, was a very senior captain with a major, who had to have his wife drive him the the airport, so he could fly his 300 or so passengers to Europe in the 747!
"Good morning ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain without driver's licence....."
In the States, from what I understand, it's bye bye pilot's licence.
If you have a Passport, hope it renews after your pardon. When you attempt to cross the U.S. border, smile and be very polite. And, go at 3:00 am.
Good luck.

[stopsquawk]

http://www.aacanada.com/

Take the proactive approach. Problem solved. and the meetings are free.

[Cat Driver]

AA is a very good group, but for many it does not work.

I personally was an AA member and in the end it did not solve my drinking problem, in fact I was convicted of drunk driving while still attending AA meetings.

The conviction did not have any direct affect on my being able to fly for a living and was never an issue in flying internationally.

[piston]

Long story short. You're on foot for a year.

90 Days no licence upon getting caught....you can get up to a year driving disqualification upon conviction (on first conviction).

If your court date is over 90 days after you have been caught, then you can get your licence back until you go to trial.

3 years to pardon if summary conviction (usually is the case on 1st DUI) and 5 year wait if you were indicted.

All impaired operations are summary convictions unless someone gets hurt or killed. Does not go on how many times you've been caught.

[TG]

In the States, from what I understand, it's bye bye pilot's licence.

And that's what it should be! As a friend of mine would say.

His got an argument mind you: One drunk driver killed his girlfriend 15 or so years ago!

[Avmax]

Thanks

[midwingcrisis]

Correct me if I am wrong, but you have not been convicted as yet. You should seek out the highest calibre advocate to release you of this alleged offence. Realistic costs for those that "take care" of this is closer to 25K. They are extremely technical on the case, and only represent you if you are not guilty of the crime you have been charged with. Others will seek out a chance to have the offence sent down as "careless driving" of which insurance also pound you on. FYI.....do not discuss anything with anybody except your representative. He will tell you that also. In Ontario....you can expect 15-20 appearances before the magic happens. Remember..you are not guilty of anything until proven so!!! Good Luck

[Kilo-Kilo]

Some seem to be making assumptions on what province you are in.

Laws vary. So, where are you and did you get in an accident? If so, were there any injuries?

[Avmax]

No injuries, just my pride i am going to pleade guilty in Alberta and otherwise clean as the driven snow just a bad choice ......... duu

[Doc]

No injuries, just my pride i am going to pleade guilty in Alberta and otherwise clean as the driven snow just a bad choice ......... duu

NEVER EVER plead GUILTY to ANYTHING!! Seriously. Make them prover their case. Most cases depend on the accused to help them make their case. At least talk to a lawyer. Don't admit anything. Plead post traumatic stress syndrome. Anything. But don't plead guilty. The "crown" might not even show. The cop might have been eaten by a bear the night before.

[. ._]

I have known guys to spend thousands to get out of a DUI, and thousands only to be convicted, and have lawyers say, "I can't win this, and no one can win this. If some lawyer says he can get you out of this, he's lying. There are no technicalities I can exploit. Plead guilty."

All I know is that it's expensive, no matter what, and with speeding tickets I've fought, I've never won, but I've had the fines reduced because I was poor at the time. They'll always give you a fine reduction if you're broke.

My $0.02.

-istp

[DaveP]

Hi Av,

Sorry to hear about your predicament and I hope it doesn't happen again for obvious reasons. I have a good friend who lost a sister from a drunk driver.

As for your career, some here like to build on the negative - I will offer some positive.
From an airlines point of view; first off, honesty will be your best friend. Never try and conceal the fact that you made a mistake in the past. It goes a long way and validates your integrity.
Secondly obtain a pardon (if you are convicted) This will gain your access to flying across the boarder and also doing other activities such as simulator training.

I happen to know several airline pilots that have had this conviction in the past and fly for Canada's major airlines (all). All whom have obtained the pardon and don't have any troubles crossing the boarder.
Security passes don't seem to have been a problem either once the pardon is on file.

My last bit of advise is that time will help. The further down the road this happened - the better. Something that happened a long time ago without any new reoccurrence; the better off your chance of obtaining employment with a major. If the problem does want to reappear, then be smart and seek the help you need. There are laws in place to help you out with this.

Take care,

Dave.

[Avmax]

Thank you to all that had something postive to say to me. hind sight is always 20/20 and it's easy to sit back fat dumb and ignorant when it's not your bacon in the pan anyways i know i am in the wrong so i will take it like a man after all we are the moves we make.


Regards,

[Doc]

Thank you to all that had something postive to say to me. hind sight is always 20/20 and it's easy to sit back fat dumb and ignorant when it's not your bacon in the pan anyways i know i am in the wrong so i will take it like a man after all we are the moves we make.


Regards,

I can respect that. Good Luck!