Busted Checkrides and Pro Flying

[meyers9163]

SO not even just for me since I think I know the answer but what affect does a few pink slips (white now) have on the record of a pilot..... I mean with a college degree and being an applicant who is qualified yet having a few marks make that person any less qualified because they had a bad day or what not? ANyways it got me wondering because you hear both ends of the story here with "oh you are in trouble" and "oh it wont matter" so it got me thinking I'd throw it out there......

[E6BAV8R]

I don't think busted checkrides are a big deal, personally. Everyone has a bad day and now and again and people know that.

I think as long as you can show how you improved from that and became a better pilot as a result of the pink slip is the best way to look at it, and so will prospective employers.

Remember that people you interview with already think you are qualified for the position, you are just in the interview to give them a reason NOT to hire you - don't do that and you have the job

[FlyingSig]

3 pinkslips and still got hired at Delta (I now have 9 type ratings so I guess I'm trainable though...)

[Clocks]

You'll be asked about them. As long as you take responsibility for it (don't say "that stupid examiner hated me and just wanted me to fail") then it's pretty much a non-issue. I was asked in my intern interview. I said I busted my initial CFI because I misjudged my power-off 180. She asked what I did about it. I said I finished the rest of the ride, went home and practiced, and passed the following week. And on to the next topic...

I've never heard of it being any "worse" than that for a pilot interview either.

Oh and don't think you'll get a free pass if you busted a stage check at a 141 school. The question was worded "have you ever busted a check ride or stage check".

[Bumblebee]

I busted my Initial instructor ride . . . the guy really had it in for ATP and never let up on me the whole time. In the interview process, I figured out what I learned from the experience, and told them that part of the story.

I left out the part where I wrote the FAA a letter complaining about the examiner and the honchos at ATP came out and had a meeting with the FSDO. Soon after there was no more instructor exams from that location.

The moral of the story: Even if you did get hosed on a checkride, there is always something to learn from the experience. Don't go into the interview complaining about it, make it a positive. That's the way to overcome it.