Expert: Dottie Norkus - 12/3/2007

Question
i know that there are flight attendants with dui's (dui's that are definitely less than 5 years old) that are flying over into Canada but i cant find anything on the Internet as to how they're allowed to do that. how is that?

Answer
Kristy

How are they allowed to do that? Simply because it is not prohibited by law or regulation to be employed as a flight attendant for a U.S. airline and have a DUI. Even if they fly abroad into Canada or elsewhere. As a U.S. pilot, I have no idea what the regulations are for F/As in Canada. They may be different. You'd have to check with Transport Canada for their regulations.

There are many airlines that require their applicants to have no DUIs on record to be HIRED, however once hired getting one is not grounds for dismissal or reprimand (unless unexcused absences from work result). Unlike pilots who are required to report any DUIs to the FAA, flight attendants are not required to do so. The only regulations concerning alcohol F/As need be concerned about are their own airlines rules. (Usually, the only limit is no drinking 8 or 12 hours before flight.) The airlines do random drug and alcohol tests, so as long as they are not intoxicated for work that is all the company will see- even if they have a DUI. (Hopefully the offense was a simple mistake and not an ongoing serious alcohol problem. Of course the latter would  affect their dependability & ability to perform duties and will eventually manifest itself for the airline to see.)

You may be surprised, but there are even pilots who have had a DUI on record that have been hired or continue to fly. Although it is a reportable offense, a one time mistake on an otherwise clean record isn't necessarily grounds for termination or elimination from the hiring pool. Because pilot certificates are issued by (and can be revoked by) the FAA, pilots are subject to Federal Aviation Regulation  §61.15 - Offenses involving alcohol or drugs:
http://flightphysical.com/part61/61.15-Drug-Alcohol-Offenses.htm#d
Basically it says they must report any motor vehicle actions and they cannot have two within a three year period or they face suspension of their certificates.

In contrast, an FAA issued Flight Attendant 'Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency' is personal property. They employing airline submits information to the FAA verifying that the flight attendant has successfully completed required safety training for the CoDP to be issued. It is not a subject to the same level of scrutiny as the FAA pilot certificate. Airlines cannot require that the CoDP be returned to the carrier at any time (or for any offense), even when employment with the airline ceases.

Hope this helps,
Dottie