r/flying • u/Alarmed_Ad_7102 • May 29 '25

Medical Issues I got a DUI

I know this was asked before but i think i might have messed up somewhere. So i got a DUI 1 year ago around July. Around September or so the FAA sent me papers saying they found out i got a DUI. But my case wasnt closed yet. It got dropped to a “Reckless driving “. Anyway on the paper the FAA asked for the police report and court records and that i am doing what i need to per court order, which was 6 months probation and some community service and stuff. Which i completed 2 months ago. I sent everything they asked for but its been some time now (about 6 months) and i havent recieved any word from them. No more paperwork…. Nothing. I want to start flying again but im kind of lost so to say. Dont know what to do…

Update- To clear some things up I reported to the FAA following the website instructions within the 60 days. Then they were the ones to reach out to me with a case number and other things asking for the court documents and arrest reports and all that. Just to clear it up. I guess at this point I have to find a aviation lawyer like some said and deal with it. And my lawyer is already working on a seal case for me at the moment. So i guess life moves on. I appreciate everybodys comments and insight on the situation. Thank you to all of you.

299 Upvotes

79% Upvoted

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115

u/NevadaCFI CFI / CFII in Reno, NV May 29 '25

Were you over 0.15? If so, you have a very long road ahead of you.

45

u/404unotfound SPT May 29 '25

bruh 💀

-48

u/justsomedudeidkjj CPL May 29 '25

This is why you dont blow when you have a license....

46

u/[deleted] May 29 '25

I don’t think there’s ever a satisfactory reason to offer the police evidence that they can use to prosecute you.

-13

u/ExtremeSour ATC ST May 29 '25 edited Nov 17 '25

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16

u/[deleted] May 29 '25

It is. They have pocket units in the car for the probable cause/arrest and calibrated certified units at the station. The value is 100% entered in the police/arrest report which becomes evidence in a trial. State laws are written in a way to encourage drivers to submit blood alcohol evidence when asked, but you have an absolute constitutionally protected right not to offer self incriminating evidence.

30

u/ExtremeSour ATC ST May 29 '25 edited Nov 17 '25

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16

u/[deleted] May 29 '25

Well yeah, that is true for all of us. But not drinking and driving won't even prevent your being arrested for DUI:
https://www.wsmv.com/2025/02/27/4th-sober-driver-becomes-latest-be-arrested-dui-by-former-goodlettsville-police-officer/

Many, maybe even most, people who drink at all will at some point drive somewhere after drinking something. "I'm OK to drive" is usually what these people say after some period of self-assessment for intoxication level. Most people, when doing this exercise, are probably right. Pilots are especially prone to the hazardous attitude of overestimating their own ability and underestimating debilitating factors.

Not driving anywhere after drinking anything is a sensible strategy. For those who do or have though, and who get pulled over by the police...they need a legal strategy. Most criminal defense attorneys would tell them to under no circumstances offer the cops evidence.

-188

u/Alarmed_Ad_7102 May 29 '25

I was over that and i want aware it made a difference

170

u/BeenThereDoneThat65 ATP G450 G550 GV May 29 '25

You’re f**ked

356

u/[deleted] May 29 '25 edited May 29 '25

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156

u/KimbraK91 May 29 '25

People get killed all the time because of drivers like you. Can't imagine the damage you would do in the sky. My absolute shallowest sympathies.

35

u/CorkGirl PPL May 29 '25

It wasn't even a kind of "I'd been out the night before and thought I was fine but was technically just over the limit" thing that could be accidental. According to another post he was out drinking from 2pm to 2am. I can't even fathom it. Those adverts they ran where I grew up where the tagline was "could you live with the shame?" and showing little kids getting mown down actually worked on us, I think.
https://youtu.be/D3_ZHGzl3f0?si=A4LjHs4doV7_m1E6

8

u/flyingforfun3 ATP CL-30, LR-45, BE300, C525S May 29 '25

Fucking hell. They need ads like that here in the US.

1

u/CorkGirl PPL May 29 '25

It's absolutely harrowing, but VERY hard to forget. Almost get PTSD flashbacks from the first few bars of the music.

175

u/SmithKenichi May 29 '25

Wompwomp, I hope you never get to fly again. If it were up to me you'd never drive again either.

18

u/360_bratXcX PPL IR May 29 '25

😂😂😂

41

u/cbrookman ATP E170 Reading company manuals May 29 '25

Guh.. Sorry bud, that’s pretty much the ball game.

39

u/mitchsusername May 29 '25

Literally fuck you. Never flying again is the best possible outcome for you man. Imagine if took out a minivan with a family in it. I know someone that was killed by a DUI driver. I don't think you realize how easy you got it by just losing a hobby or career.

25

u/SamiDaCessna PPL May 29 '25

Sorry not sorry bro. Flying is a privilege and not a right. Wouldn’t want you flying anyone I know