FAA medical will require sleep study for some, others to follow

[COOPERVANE]

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAA-Targets-Fat-Pilots-And-Controllers220978-1.html

So if you have a BMI over 40 and a neck circumference over 17 you will now be required to go to a sleep specialist. And possibly lose your medical unless you carry a CPAP machine on all your overnights.

Not worried? Healthy?.... Well you should be worried. A BMI of 40 is pretty overweight.....well that is just the start. They will gradually lower the BMI threshold until almost ALL pilots have a sleep study.

Do you want to pay for a sleep study? I'm not sure our insurance will pay for that. These sleep specialists LOVE to diagnose sleep apnea so they can bill a CPAP machine to your insurance company.

Another draconian fed policy to save passengers from the dozens of crashes identified due to apnea.........wait.....

 

[COOPERVANE]

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAA-Targets-Fat-Pilots-And-Controllers220978-1.html


http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/avia...ons/designee_types/ame/fasmb/media/201304.pdf

So if you have a BMI over 40 and a neck circumference over 17 you will now be required to go to a sleep specialist. And possibly lose your medical unless you carry a CPAP machine on all your overnights.

Not worried? Healthy?.... Well you should be worried. A BMI of 40 is pretty overweight.....but that is just the start. They will gradually lower the BMI threshold until almost ALL pilots have a sleep study.

Do you want to pay for a sleep study? Wanna use your CDHP HSA? I'm not sure our insurance will pay for one. These sleep specialists LOVE to diagnose sleep apnea so they can bill a CPAP machine to your insurance company.

Another draconian fed policy to save passengers from the dozens of crashes identified due to apnea.........wait.....

 

[paid4training]

So all u strong and healthy boyz that don't miss a work out or a power bar, you will need to loose some weight fatboy!!!

 

[Plainsman]

Yo momma's so fat when she comes out of the house in her red dress all the kids yell, Hey Koolaid.

 

[Freebrd]

Get rid of all the fatties! Yeh I move up! Talked w/ my Dr today, who does flt phys, and she said it's a great idea. Yall in trouble now! :nuts:

 

[Freebrd]

Yo momma's so fat when she comes out of the house in her red dress all the kids yell, Hey Koolaid.

Wanna lick, oh never mind.....uke:

 

[JettBoii]

The AME bulletin states once all examinees with a BMI of 40 and higher are treated they are going to begin the same process with BMI's of 30 and up. I bet there are a lot of out there that meet that number.

 

[paid4training]

Okay, so the fed's believe the problem is overweight people not sleeping well. I'm thinking fat or skinny, you work in a VERY stressful 15 hr day with min rest(10hrs reduced) with actual time in a hotel around 8hrs... Yea ur gonna be tired!!! Just like this government, instead of ACTUAL rest time lets blame the pilot. Let's put more bs on him on top of a medical where every 6months you can loose your livelihood. 8hrs "rest" that includes 1hr hotel van wait, don't forget eating or just time to wind-down!!!

 

[CX880]

You have to be really fat to be even at a BMI of 30. Maybe this is an incentive to get on a treadmill.

 

[brokeflyer]

they can save a lot of time and money by going to scheduling and studying them.

 

[paid4training]

Yea with my height, my "normal" weight is 165lbs!!! I haven't been 165 since highschool!! That bmi is a bunch of crap anyway!!! You have a little muscle and your "overweight". Wth!!!

 

[Freebrd]

What about F/As? Wonder why they're not included.

 

[LHRCrewDog]

The BMI charts are incorrect, as they typically average both men and women. This chart says it is normal to be 130, but overweight at 170??? That is just incorrect (5'9"). You have to take into consideration muscle mass versus fat, and then come up with a better number. My sports nutritionist says anything below 160 for me is no bueno, which is borderline overweight per the chart. To each his own. I imagine crossfitters and weightlifters are extremely healthy and likely have a BMI above 30.

I just hope the FAA does not use this as a checklist and force the test upon people who are perfectly healthy. Yeah, right...

 

[trip]

This job is really starting to suck. Coming from a tall not fat guy.

 

[ditchpilot]

Pilots poulation will be the test bed. The next group will be the truckers and CDL drivers. Then plant and refinery workers, heavy construction and medical staffers will be poked and proded. How many paitents who go in for sleep evaluation walk out with a negative diagnosis? I would quess VERY few.
We all have sleep issues from time to time stress of family, finacial issues and job market.
I have not had a full week of "normal sleep" since I have graduated high school. I am not out of shape over weight or unhealthy. I am a full time dad of 4 kids with elderly parents and fly for a living. I dont know any adult working to raise a family who has regular sleep patterns. The human body is designed to addapt to changes in its environment. The body has amazing ability to recharge the batteries with short "power" naps. We each know our limits how much sleep is enough for us to function safely.
I for one dont want uncle sam telling me how to live my day to day life. I obay the laws pay my "fair" share of taxes and stay active in my local community. I want to choose what food i consume, material i read, shows i watch, religion i practice, vihicle i drive and the sports i participate in.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Neck circumference of 17"?

Look for an increase in the number of 17" necks being crammed into a 16" shirt. It's going to rival the number of 34" pants with a 50'" gut overhanging them.

Hello vegetables and juicing, good-bye processed foods and red-meat. Just another reason to bypass Five Guys on C now.

 

[Freebrd]

Mmm 5guys, and those fries, give me gas, poor Capt I'm flying with.

 

[COOPERVANE]

What I dont understand is where this came from? All of a sudden BMI is the gold standard of health. What about high blood pressure, cholesterol and heart disease?

The pamphlet says 25-30% of people with a BMI less than 30 have apnea. does he own stock in a CPAP machine company??

So AT LEAST 30% of us will be dragging a machine on the overnights now? SOME will be diagnosed with NON OBSTRUCTIVE APNEA which a CPAP wont help. DING.....LOST medical.

Cant even go to the truck driving school if that happens

 

[Carl_Spackler]

This would be a good time to buy loss of license insurance since there is usually a 1 year waiting period.

 

[JustaNumber]

What I dont understand is where this came from? All of a sudden BMI is the gold standard of health. What about high blood pressure, cholesterol and heart disease?

The pamphlet says 25-30% of people with a BMI less than 30 have apnea. does he own stock in a CPAP machine company??

So AT LEAST 30% of us will be dragging a machine on the overnights now? SOME will be diagnosed with NON OBSTRUCTIVE APNEA which a CPAP wont help. DING.....LOST medical.

Cant even go to the truck driving school if that happens

Remember Michael Chertoff, former head of DHS, getting paid by Rapiscan to pimp their imaging machines?

I agree, BMI is a pretty inaccurate measurement of health. This is clearly about kickbacks and secondary agendas.

For what it's worth, though, eating your veggies and avoiding 5 Guys if you are obese isn't a bad idea.