Medical question for pilots

Gonzo

Gonzo

Well-Known Member
Will kind of physical will I have to take once I get a job offer. The reason why I'm asking is because I'm presently on a special issuance first-class medical. My doctors and the FAA seem to tell me I'll have a unrestricted medical in another year. I'm just curious if the thing that prevented me from getting the unrestricted first-class medical will prevent me from getting jobs.
 
Maximillian_Jenius said:
Well...before all that have you figured out how your going to fly professionally while being orthodox Hebrew?
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Can airlines refuse to hire you if you won't work on shabbos?
 
Maximillian_Jenius said:
Well...before all that have you figured out how your going to fly professionally while being orthodox Hebrew?
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I never said I was Orthodox. I go to a Traditional temple. I said it is close to Orthodox and that I have many orthodox beliefs but not all. I have discussed it with the rabbi and there are ways that I can make it happen. Yes it might freak out the captain at first to see me doing my prayers. In addition there is usually one temple in every city.
 
Gonzo said:
I never said I was Orthodox. I go to a Traditional temple. I said it is close to Orthodox and that I have many orthodox beliefs but not all. I have discussed it with the rabbi and there are ways that I can make it happen. Yes it might freak out the captain at first to see me doing my prayers. In addition there is usually one temple in every city.
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Naaaaaaw wouldn't freak him or her out if you start your prayers at FL350 if you give some sort of prior warning.

Muslims pray 5 times a day how many times a day do traditional Jewish peeps pray? Anyways if you could answer that question that'd be great I don't want to hijack the thread.
 
There's three prayer services to be perform daily. But two of them are back to back on most days.
 
on a sidenote (total threadjack)

does anyone else find flying to be so incredibly soothing and meditative as i do?
 
Gonzo said:
Will kind of physical will I have to take once I get a job offer. The reason why I'm asking is because I'm presently on a special issuance first-class medical. My doctors and the FAA seem to tell me I'll have a unrestricted medical in another year. I'm just curious if the thing that prevented me from getting the unrestricted first-class medical will prevent me from getting jobs.
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To answer your question, for a period of time I had a medical flight waiver because I couldn't get one of my eyes down to 20/20 with lenses but it corrected itself eventually. Whenever they've asked about waivers or restrictions, I'd always answered thruthfully, even though I no longer needed it for medical certification. But that's what *I* specially did.
 
Chris_Ford said:
Can airlines refuse to hire you if you won't work on shabbos?
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When you apply you check a little box that says you're willing to work nights, weekends, holidays, etc... I'm thinking if you don't check the box they might question why you didn't or just not invite you to interview.
 
EDUC8-or said:
When you apply you check a little box that says you're willing to work nights, weekends, holidays, etc... I'm thinking if you don't check the box they might question why you didn't or just not invite you to interview.
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But I mean legally, wouldn't that be refusing to hire someone on the grounds of their religion, and open the door for lawsuits? Just trying to see how they could get around that...
 
Actually, rumor has it that some airlines offer a kosher option with crew meals.

My airline only had crew meals for about two years (it's all about safety, right? :)) but during the two-year period, I heard lots of stories of how the other guys do it.
 
Chris_Ford said:
But I mean legally, wouldn't that be refusing to hire someone on the grounds of their religion, and open the door for lawsuits? Just trying to see how they could get around that...
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The airline wouldn't be refusing to hire the person because he/she is Jewish -- the airline would be refusing to hire because the person won't work on a particular day of the week when the employer needs him/her to work. The obligation for an employer to accommodate religious observations by granting time off is pretty limited.
 
Minnesota_Flyer said:
The airline wouldn't be refusing to hire the person because he/she is Jewish -- the airline would be refusing to hire because the person won't work on a particular day of the week when the employer needs him/her to work. The obligation for an employer to accommodate religious observations by granting time off is pretty limited.
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That seems like a very thin line though (not willing to work on a particular day of the week). I'm not calling you wrong, but I'm surprised nobody has challenged this, it seems like a plausible case...

Of course, they could always say you weren't a "competetive applicant" so I guess that's the CYA coverall.
 
Doug Taylor said:
Actually, rumor has it that some airlines offer a kosher option with crew meals.

My airline only had crew meals for about two years (it's all about safety, right? :)) but during the two-year period, I heard lots of stories of how the other guys do it.
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right...

spring water, and that'll be a dollar, sir

Look for the kosher symbol!!!
 
Chris_Ford said:
That seems like a very thin line though (not willing to work on a particular day of the week). I'm not calling you wrong, but I'm surprised nobody has challenged this, it seems like a plausible case...
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People have challenged it. They lost.
 
Chris_Ford said:
That seems like a very thin line though (not willing to work on a particular day of the week). I'm not calling you wrong, but I'm surprised nobody has challenged this, it seems like a plausible case...

Of course, they could always say you weren't a "competetive applicant" so I guess that's the CYA coverall.
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I don't see it as a CYA deal, it has nothing at all to do with religion. From the perspective of the airline, this is an applicant who doesn't meet all of their requirements for employment. If the applicant checked "Yes" on the box they would be lying. If they don't check it, or check "No" they're not competitive.

Let's look at some other possible REQUIREMENTS for employment: Fixed wing ATP? Don't have that one because I couldn't get the time and experience. First Class Medical? Nope I only got a third class. Passport? Didn't have time to get that. 1200TT & 250 multi? Nope I only have 1100 & 150. Willing to work on holidays, nights, and weekends? Hmm....

I've been to several interviews and I saw people dismissed because they didn't meet the requirements or their paperwork wasn't in order. This was within ten minutes of arriving for the interview.
 
Doug Taylor said:
To answer your question, for a period of time I had a medical flight waiver because I couldn't get one of my eyes down to 20/20 with lenses but it corrected itself eventually. Whenever they've asked about waivers or restrictions, I'd always answered thruthfully, even though I no longer needed it for medical certification. But that's what *I* specially did.
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It's a little more serious than a waiver, let me give you some background on my situation. I was born with a birth defect where my sternum was concaved. Children born with this birth defect often have other birth defects that are not so easily detected. I had surgery when I was seven to correct this problem. My mom clearly remembers the doctor pointing out I had no other defects and everything was fine when he opened me up. Unfortunately the original surgical notes that detail what the doctor found when he opened me up have been lost by the hospital. Because of the seven years that my rib cage was constricted my heart is slightly undersized and so are my lungs. And they are outside the FAA parameters in size and volume. The only reason why I was even given a special issuance after being turned down twice was my cardiologist and my pulmonary doctors were able to look over the regulations and realized my undersize organs were actually 1 1/2 times efficient as the requirements. They both wrote letters to the FAA stating they saw no reason why I should be denied my medical. The FAA responded by saying I would have to repeat the test every six months to prove that my condition was stable over two years. At which time at the end of two years if my condition had not changed that they would remove the special issuance and I may receive an unrestricted first-class medical.
 
Some of the comments made me think of some other questions that I like to throw out.

As far as working on holidays: it would be unsafe for me to work on certain Jewish holidays. Would I be required to take a vacation day for these holidays or could I request them off from crew scheduling.

Food: For the airlines that do offer crew meals how would I request a kosher meal or a vegetarian meal.
 
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