pilotlight
Well-Known Member
So if you have never tAken anything but want to and are flying the line currently, is it my understanding that youwould have to stop flying for a year to get qualified? How could anyone afford this?
Counseling does not require a SI. If you are on medications for less than 6 months, you must be off for 90 days and a SI is not required.
I certainly understand the frustration fftoto. Im in a similar boat as you and am going on close to 12 months in the special issuance process. From what I can tell, there is a delay of up to three weeks from when something happens to when it is communicated to you in writing. I've been "just checking in" with them about every 3-4 weeks and had 3 instances where they told me they needed something on the phone only to get that request in the mail a several weeks later.If you are feeling sad or uninspired, go ahead and get the counseling. You have to take care of yourself so you feel better. One of the probelms with this issue is accepting your sadness and depression as "normal". Get help, talk with someone who knows the issues. Worry about the other stuff later. Some guys have been out of work or flew a desk during the process.. I talked with a counselor for a while; working with cognitive behavior therapy has helped quite a bit. We worked on this prior to going to the next step of medications. There are also some OTC stuff that may work, St. Johns Wort, 5-htp etc. I have been put through the ringer with this process. and still do not have my medical. I think if I had to do it over, I would take my chances on not reporting. Many people have said my only problem is I was too honest with them. I wanted to do the right thing but it has not turned out the way I thought it would. My application went to DC in July of last year. Then they made me go through the entire testing process over again because it had been over a year since my last testing, even though the FAA was the one that dragged it out. Before the holidays I spoke with them by phone and they said I should have it before Christmas and they saw no problems with any of the reports or testing. Still waiting.....I have called in the last week or two but no people to talk with, only answering machines and no one has returned my queries...
Counseling does not require a SI. If you are on medications for less than 6 months, you must be off for 90 days and a SI is not required.