1st Class Medical required for FO's

[kellwolf]

I had to go on BP meds for a while until I dropped some weight. Any other profession, and it's a non-event. Same with most medications. With the FAA, it has to be approved using an archaic ritual, apparently, that involves goats and virgins from what I can tell. If it's not on the approved list, you're not legal. BP meds are the EASY ones, and you still have to get all these tests annally, a letter from your doctor saying you're not going to stroke out and your BP is controlled and when you first go on them, you're out for 2 weeks. Any other job? Non-event. You pop the pill in the morning and go to work as usual.

My wife is on anti-depressants and has been for decades. She'd be a homicidal whack job without them. However, they're illegal according to the FAA, so we've got guys flying that SHOULD be on meds that aren't. We've also got a good chunk (judging by the amnesty period from when they started allowing them) that have been flying while on them and didn't tell anyone. I started reading the stuff to get approved for a medical on anti-depressants, and I stopped after the first page because it was so confusing. It seems like it's set up to get the pilots to give up and quit rather than get them medical help so they can continue their career.

 

[Mike H]

I wonder how many politicians could pass a 1st class in order to run for and maintain their seat in office? .

I'd like to know how many politicians could pass a DOT drug screen- or a psychiatric evaluation for that matter

 

[derg]

I'd like to know how many politicians could pass a DOT drug screen- or a psychiatric evaluation for that matter

Few.

An entire city of self-importance, money, power and fat balding men that spent high school jealous of Johnny Football Hero probably thought massive hooker and blow parties with the pages. I think we got a glimpse of that in the 80's!

 

[Cruise]

I just did my EKG for the year.

It's a non-event.

In all fairness, it's a non-event....until it isn't.

 

[JetDrvr]

I'd like to know how many politicians could pass a DOT drug screen- or a psychiatric evaluation for that matter

Politicians don't have to fly and airplane carrying 150 people down to minimums in a raging crosswind. If a politician has a heart attack sitting at his or her desk, the odds of someone else getting hurt or dying are much lower.

 

[kellwolf]

Politicians don't have to fly and airplane carrying 150 people down to minimums in a raging crosswind. If a politician has a heart attack sitting at his or her desk, the odds of someone else getting hurt or dying are much lower.

Unless there's an intern under the desk and they fall on them.....

 

[falconvalley]

Just got a memo at CHQ that says all FO's must maintain a current 1st Class Medical starting August 1st. I'm assuming that means "to exercise the privileges of".

 

[surreal1221]

Unless there's an intern under the desk and they fall on them.....

You say that like it's a bad thing.

 

[kellwolf]

Well, I guess the official word is out, and it looks like FOs WILL NOT have to have 1st Class medicals per the recent FAA ruling. Out company policy is that you have to have a 1st class medical initially (mainly for the international stuff), but with the new ruling, it can lapse to a 2nd class. Still looking for clarification on type ratings, though. As of right now, FOs only get an SIC type in both the 190 and the 320. It's possible the FAA might come back and say it needs to be a full type. Since that could potentially costs the airlines money, I'm betting they say the SIC is good enough.....