When to call in sick?

My big learning lesson with calling in sick was when I was trying to buck up and help the company.

I was a couple weeks off of probation and still to new to know what the best way to go about sick time. I felt fine and mentally clear but I had a wicked cough I could suppress fairly well with lozenges. The leg was HNL-JHM and I was PM. We made it to just about the start of the VOR approach into JHM when I couldn't control it anymore and couldn't find my pack of Halls. I coughed the whole way into the airport being nearly useless. The PF had to do the talking as well. I was so embarrassed that I did this to myself and more so that I really let the Captain down by being so useless. For the next couple legs we decided it was best for me to stick to being the PF until we could get back to HNL for someone to take over the rest of the day for me.

TL;DR
Don't get cable, take the sick day.
 
If I called in sick every time I got a cough I would likely have all of October and November off.

Allergies suck this time of year for me and they cause a chronic cough. If you cough properly (into sleeve) it isn't too bad.

If you legitimately caught some sort of bug them by all means please call off. Had a flight attendant with the flu refuse to call off. I ended up spend my 3 days off with the flu.
 
Maurus said:
If I called in sick every time I got a cough I would likely have all of October and November off.

Allergies suck this time of year for me and they cause a chronic cough. If you cough properly (into sleeve) it isn't too bad.

If you legitimately caught some sort of bug them by all means please call off. Had a flight attendant with the flu refuse to call off. I ended up spend my 3 days off with the flu.
Click to expand...

X2 I have bad allergies that leave my sinuses pretty stuffy often. I have FMLA for it, but if I called in sick every time i was a little plugged up I'd work half of my assigned days during certain times of year. Had a scratchy throat for about 2 of my last 5 day sequence. Now my sinuses are plugged on day 1 of my 2 off. Fun.

So it has to be where i can't even remotely clear my ears and am dizzy from sinus pressure or have cold/flu like symptoms before I'll call in.
 
ATN_Pilot said:
If you're having those problems that regularly, then you need to see an allergist and an ENT.
Click to expand...
Been there done that all through my life. Only thing that clears me up 100% are antihistamines that the FAA does not like.

Loratadine keeps me from stuffing up and such. It just can't seem to prevent one specific symptom.

I'll be just fine come December. If all I do is cough into my sleeve a few times then so be it.

Frankly there is nothing I can do to make our planes any nastier than they already are. Cleaning crews rarely touch our planes. Especially the flight deck.
 
Last edited:
Already been to an allergist. Take allergy medicine daily and I've actually been a lot better the past few months. Will go to an ENT and have them clean out my sinuses at some point. It's definitely a lot more maneagable than it has been. Only developed these allergies the past few years. So I'm hoping its kind of a short phase.
 
I know a guy that got a bad case of flu. A week and a half later he was without a job. When he got the notice saying he was fired and called his boss to ask why, he was told that other people have flown with flu before. Not sure how you can fly when you can't even drink water without running for the toilet. :rolleyes:
 
Beech90 said:
On a side note, does anyone bring disinfect wipes to wipe stuff down with?
Click to expand...

Every. Single. Airplane.

Our airline supplies the wipes, pilots are gross.
Additionally, I've seen the lav sink and water mel'd for testing e.coli positive....stop pooping in the sink people!

Wipes are necessary.
 
guywhoflies said:
I know a guy that got a bad case of flu. A week and a half later he was without a job. When he got the notice saying he was fired and called his boss to ask why, he was told that other people have flown with flu before. Not sure how you can fly when you can't even drink water without running for the toilet. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
If it's that kind of company it sounds like they did him a favor.
 
Dexter said:
Thoughts? Opinions? Cost?
Click to expand...
Too early to tell really, still a little swollen, bloody mucus and some mild discomfort.

I paid about $1,200 out of pocket, because of my wifes crap insurance. I was out of work for two weeks, the first two days sucked, then I had the stints removed . After that it was just...odd, really the only way to explain the feeling but I got around fine.

I feel like I'm breathing better, though.
 
It'll take about 4 weeks to really start feeling the effects, and 6-8 until you've gotten the full benefits. I was still pretty sore at 2 weeks and flushing out bloody mucus. Has your ENT used the little vacuum to clean you out yet? That's an interesting experience. :)
 
ATN_Pilot said:
It'll take about 4 weeks to really start feeling the effects, and 6-8 until you've gotten the full benefits. I was still pretty sore at 2 weeks and flushing out bloody mucus. Has your ENT used the little vacuum to clean you out yet? That's an interesting experience. :)
Click to expand...
Interesting is an understatement
 
Thanks for the info guys. I know I'm going to need to do it at some point. Possibly allergy shots, but it seems medication is doing fine for now.
 
Derg said:
It has some benefit, but an agreeable psychosomatic effect.
Click to expand...

Agree, with some comedic side effects.

To be effective, you need to wet the surface for 30-60 seconds, and most alcho-wipes are dry before you get to the end of the swipe. They need more water in them to be most effective.

Washing your hands with plain old soap and warm water is more effective than wiping them with sani-wipes as well.

There are various other goops and slimes that are far more effective, but people get weak in the knees when they look at the active ingredients (for no reason). These are usually the same folks that tell you that vaccinations are the work of the Illuminati, Agents of Orange, Members of Free Masonry, Order of the Funny Walks, or other such conspiratorial organizations of doom (Yup, still waiting for that horde of middle aged men to come over the hill in tiny cars and funny hats to met out my just reward).

Richman
 
ATN_Pilot said:
Best thing I ever did. Only cost me $200 bucks with our insurance.
Click to expand...

Wow that's it? This HSA/HRA stuff it looks like it's going to cost over $2000 including the deductible. Health care professionals claim HSA is much better on the pocket book than OAP but I don't see it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top