Can you work at the airport with a felony?

Asked by: Madisyn Witting  |  Last update: May 7, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (31 votes)

Yes, you can work at an airport with a felony, but it depends heavily on the type of felony, when it occurred, and the specific job's security requirements, as the FAA and TSA have long lists of disqualifying crimes (like terrorism, drug distribution, espionage, or certain violent/theft offenses) that prevent access to secure areas, though some roles in public areas might be possible with honesty and rehabilitation evidence.

What disqualifies you from working at the airport?

PERMANENT DISQUALIFYING CRIMINAL OFFENSES

Treason or conspiracy to commit treason. A federal crime of terrorism as defined in 18 U.S.C. 2332b(g), or comparable State law, or conspiracy to commit such crime. A crime involving a TSI (transportation security incident).

What airline hires felons?

Delta Airlines

The airline has been noted to provide jobs that accept felons. However, many reports say that the entire application process depends on how long the charge was. You'll be required to go through security and background checks to ensure that you're the right fit for the job.

What jobs can felons not get?

Felons face significant restrictions in jobs requiring licenses (law, medicine, teaching, finance, real estate, security) or involving public trust/vulnerable populations (childcare, elder care, law enforcement, healthcare), as well as roles handling valuables or operating heavy machinery, with specific bans depending on state law and the nature of the crime (e.g., theft, fraud, violent offenses). Industries like finance, education, transportation, and healthcare often have statutory bars or strict licensing requirements that exclude individuals with felony records, though some exceptions and review processes exist.
 

Can you work at United Airlines with a felony?

If you fail your pre-employment drug test you have to wait 6 months to reapply. If I have a felony does it disqualify me to get hired? Felony s do not disqualify you ,depending on the time and the nature of the crime.

Can Felons Work At Airports? - Air Traffic Insider

41 related questions found

Does the airport hire people with felonies?

If you have been convicted, pled guilty to, or found not guilty by reason of insanity of the following felonies, you will be considered permanently disqualified from ever holding a position at the TSA: Espionage or conspiracy to commit espionage. Sedition or conspiracy to commit sedition.

What is the hardest background check to pass?

The hardest background checks are typically for high-security government roles (like Top Secret clearance), involving deep dives into finances, criminal history, personal references, and lifestyle, often requiring interviews with associates; these are far more stringent than standard employment checks and focus on trustworthiness for sensitive information access, extending to personal habits, foreign contacts, and potential vulnerabilities.
 

What's the best trade for a felon?

While getting a job depends on various factors, some industries are more open to hiring individuals with a record: Construction and skilled trades: Carpenters, plumbers, welders, and electricians are in demand, and employers often focus on skills and experience.

What are red flags on a background check?

Red flags on a background check are discrepancies or concerning findings like criminal records (especially violent, financial, or drug-related), significant inconsistencies in employment/education history, poor credit history (for finance roles), negative references, failed drug tests, or unprofessional social media activity, all raising concerns about a candidate's integrity, judgment, or suitability for a role.
 

What states are felony friendly?

These Are the States Most Likely to Hire Former Felons

  • California.
  • Colorado.
  • Kansas.
  • Maryland.
  • Massachusetts.
  • Montana.
  • Nevada.
  • New Hampshire.

What jobs are felons most likely to get?

12 highest-paying jobs for people with criminal records

  • Digital marketer. ...
  • Freelance designer. ...
  • Painter. ...
  • Maintenance worker. ...
  • Entrepreneur. ...
  • Web developer. ...
  • Truck driver. ...
  • Barber.

How to explain a felony to employers?

It is up to you, but we recommend honesty. On the application, write ”will discuss in interview” rather than a lengthy explanation of past convictions. In an interview, keep explanations brief, and stress what you have learned from your conviction and time in prison, how you have changed, and your skills or assets.

Can I go on a cruise if I'm a convicted felon?

There is no federal law that prohibits felons from going on cruises. However, major cruise lines like Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International have certain guest policies that restrict access. As a result, they can deny boarding to American citizens who have been convicted of violent crimes.

Is it easy to get hired at an airport?

Many airport jobs are entry-level positions, while others require years of training and experience. That's why it's so important to do extensive research on career requirements before deciding what job you want to pursue.

Do airlines do criminal background checks?

For a DUI, people may apply for a Deemed Rehabilitation (Canadian Waiver) five (5) years after they have completed their sentence and/or probation. All airlines will administer a 10-year FBI background check.

How much are airport staff paid?

Airport worker salaries vary widely by role, location, and experience, but generally range from around $30,000-$40,000 annually for entry-level roles like customer service or cleaning to over $60,000 for supervisory or technical positions, with specialized roles like airport managers or engineers earning significantly more (e.g., $100k+). Average pay hovers around $39,000/year ($18.73/hr) for general "airport workers," but this broad term covers many jobs, from ground crew to operations. 

What will make me fail a background check?

You fail a background check due to criminal history, lying on your resume (inaccurate education, job titles, dates), failing a drug test, a poor driving record (especially for driving jobs), bad credit (for financial roles), negative references, or unverifiable employment/education, with serious offenses and discrepancies often leading to disqualification. 

What is the 3 month rule in a job?

The "3-month rule" in a job refers to the common probationary period where both employer and employee assess fit, acting as a trial to see if the role and person align before full commitment, often involving learning goals (like a 30-60-90 day plan) and performance reviews, allowing either party to end employment more easily, notes Talent Management Institute (TMI), Frontline Source Group, Indeed.com, and Talent Management Institute (TMI). It's a crucial time for onboarding, understanding expectations, and demonstrating capability, setting the foundation for future growth, says Talent Management Institute (TMI), inTulsa Talent, and Talent Management Institute (TMI). 

What is the 7 second rule in resume?

The "7-second resume rule" means recruiters spend only about 7 seconds on their initial scan of a resume to decide if a candidate is a potential match, making it crucial to have a clear, concise, and keyword-optimized document that highlights key achievements and skills to capture attention quickly, often with the help of an ATS (Applicant Tracking System). To succeed, focus on strong formatting, quantifying accomplishments with numbers, using action verbs, and tailoring the content to the specific job description to pass both automated filters and human review. 

What jobs can you not do as a convicted felon?

Felons face significant restrictions in jobs requiring licenses (law, medicine, teaching, finance, real estate, security) or involving public trust/vulnerable populations (childcare, elder care, law enforcement, healthcare), as well as roles handling valuables or operating heavy machinery, with specific bans depending on state law and the nature of the crime (e.g., theft, fraud, violent offenses). Industries like finance, education, transportation, and healthcare often have statutory bars or strict licensing requirements that exclude individuals with felony records, though some exceptions and review processes exist.
 

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

You can earn $10,000 a month without a degree in high-skill trades (elevator tech, electrician), sales (solar, real estate, insurance), specialized trucking (owner-operator), tech roles (web dev, drone pilot), or by starting your own business/freelancing in areas like content creation or digital marketing, often requiring specialized training, certifications, or strong commission-based performance rather than a traditional degree. 

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

Earning $2,000 daily usually involves high-income skills or scaling businesses, with options like specialized freelancing (consulting, web design, high-ticket sales), digital products (courses, printables), e-commerce (dropshipping, flipping), or high-demand gig work (AI training, specialized rentals), often requiring significant upfront effort or existing expertise to reach that level quickly, with some options taking months or years to become consistent. 

What is the 10 second rule in an interview?

The "10-second rule in an interview" refers to two main concepts: the first impression you make upon entering (appearance, greeting, confidence) and the time it takes for a recruiter to screen your resume (they often decide in under 10 seconds). It also applies to the silence during the interview, where interviewers should wait 10 seconds before rescuing a candidate who pauses, allowing them time to think, while candidates should aim to deliver clear, impactful information quickly. 

What looks bad on a background check?

Things that look bad on a background check include criminal records (especially job-related offenses), significant inconsistencies on resumes (like falsified degrees or job titles), frequent job hopping, unexplained employment gaps, poor credit (for financial roles), negative social media activity (hate speech, unprofessionalism), and failed drug/driving tests, all suggesting dishonesty, instability, or risk to the employer. 

When to worry about a background check?

Multiple issues can cause you to fail a background check, including relevant criminal convictions, misrepresentations made on your resume or during your interview, a failed drug test, poor credit record, poor driving history, bad references, and unexplained employment gaps.