Do pilots get fired if they get a DUI?

While the DUI case proceeds in court, the pilot could be temporarily grounded. If the arrest ends in a conviction, most airlines will terminate the pilot. Even if the employer doesn't terminate the pilot, however, the FAA may deny the pilot their aviation medical certificate.



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FAA regulations say a pilot cannot have a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more, which is half the legal limit for driving in the United States.

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On the airline side, most airlines will not consider an applicant with a DUI in the last five years, between 5-10 years they will look at the situation. The major airlines like United, Delta, etc might be a tough sell, but the Low Cost Carriers like Spirit are generally not as stringent on this.

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Unfortunately, some medical or health issues may cause you to fail the extensive medical examinations required to become a pilot. This includes certain heart diseases, conditions such as epilepsy, poor hearing, bad vision, and even common allergies, as certain allergy medications can make you drowsy.

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Substance abuse and being branded a security threat are common reasons for FAA denial. Although felons are not strictly barred from becoming pilots, the FAA has leeway in denying licensing. Good moral character is an expected character trait of pilots. If you are unsure about your felony conviction, contact the FAA.

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Single event less than five years ago, or a single event at any time with an unknown BAC or refused a breathalyzer, or with a BAC of . 15% or higher. Two or more events in the pilot's lifetime or history of dependence or substance use disorder.

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Pilots and crew members are subject to random drug and alcohol testing throughout their employment. This means that at any given time, they may be selected for testing without prior notice. Random testing helps to deter substance abuse and maintain a high level of safety in aviation operations.

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Despite their notoriety, such cases are extremely rare. Each day, there are 90,000 flights around the world, carrying more than 8 million people. And the overwhelming majority of pilots in those cockpits are sober. Pilots take being fit to fly seriously and act accordingly,” says former US Airways pilot John M.

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According to the FAA, between 2010 and 2018, out of nearly 117,000 U.S. pilots tested for alcohol, only 99 were found exceeding the legal limit. Although these numbers are reassuringly low, even a single intoxicated pilot is one too many.

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Due to the risks to flight safety posed by ADHD, regulatory authorities worldwide consider ADHD a disqualifying condition for pilots. Unfortunately, pilots sometimes fail to disclose ADHD to their Aviation Medical Examiner (AME).

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The NDR maintains information on individuals whose privilege to operate a motor vehicle has been revoked, suspended, canceled or denied or who have been convicted of serious traffic-related offenses, including DUI. The FAA may identify and discover infractions or convictions based on their search.

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Airlines are required by the FAA to randomly test pilots for drugs and alcohol, and tests can also be required after an accident or when someone — such as a fellow crew member or security personnel — has reason to suspect a pilot might be under the influence.

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Commercial pilots will be allowed tattoos in some airlines as long as they are covered. This means if a pilot has a sleeve-type tattoo on their arm, they must wear a long sleeve shirt to cover it. Most major airlines do not allow tattoos that cannot be covered.

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A Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) is a Part 121 Airline Pilot who is trained and licensed to carry weapons and defend commercial aircraft against criminal activity and terrorism.

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Criminal Background Check Required
  • Aircraft piracy.
  • Aircraft piracy outside the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States.
  • Armed robbery.
  • Assault with intent to murder.
  • Carrying a weapon or explosive aboard an aircraft.
  • Commission of certain crimes aboard aircraft in flight.
  • Conveying false information and threats.


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The airline transport pilot (ATP) is the most advanced pilot certificate one can obtain, and it's necessary for those who want to fly commercial airliners for a living. All commercial airlines now require a pilot applicant to have an ATP certificate.

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If you fly a plane without a license, the legal consequences can be up to $250,000 in fines and three years in prison. If you cause injury or destruction to property, your punishment could be even more severe.

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