Medical fails may climb

[PCL_128]

Wrong. Our disability language is loss-of-license language. Anything that causes you to lose your medical certificate qualifies.

 

[Ty Webb]

Wrong. Our disability language is loss-of-license language. Anything that causes you to lose your medical certificate qualifies.

Yup. And previous to the Loss of License coverage, sleep apnea was definitely covered, as it rendered you unable to hold a medical certificate, and therefore unable to perform your job. We had a few guys who had to go on medical leave and go through the process, which is very lengthy and intrusive. They were covered, though.

Ty

 

[Jetjockey]

All LTD plans are not created equally Whine Lover. Don't relate the weak language ATA had to all airlines. I know CAL/UAL and SWA have pretty good programs.


When companies who pay disabilty benefits start forking over cash.....they find a way to get pilots back to work. There are pilots who come back after far more serious medical issues. This just creates more work and expense for all involved. Will this expensive burden make aviation safer?

I agree with a previous poster who said it hits the GA flyer much harder. Most GA flyers will not go through the hassle. The big issue I have is the unwarranted intrusion and expense for a problem that dwarfs in comparison to real safety of flight issues. This is a completely misguided policy by the FAA Medical Chief. Pilots self certify on medical issues all the time. Should we screen pilots for every known medical issue? We are flying airplanes in a multi-crew environment.......we are not going into space.

It will be interesting to see the reaction of trade unions and associations like AOPA. I have a feeling this policy meets resistance.

 

[waveflyer]

2 out of 3 CAL pilots that died in flight were. The one that was under 60 was before the rule changed. Does being dead meet your criteria?

Bird-

I'll type slowly for you-

IT
DOES
NOT
MATTER

it wasn't an artificial construct to protect career progression
It's an artificial construct to keep big brother out of ridiculous medical standards

The two are very much linked
I'm sure you'll say they aren't and you'd be wrong

I also strongly oppose the bmi standards of what is healthy-
I'm 6'4"
Do the math-
40 is reasonable

The doc though is pushing for sleep apnea to be a major part of the physical
Historically, and culturally- pilots haven't been good about sleep-
Part of our "toughness" is flying at all hours

That is on us-

My blood pressure was never high- but did drop 10 points on the high number 135-> 125 just bc SWA doesn't reverse our sleep schedule
I fly PMs and feel great

 

[Jetjockey]

An interesting note. There was an attempt to have commercial truck drivers tested for sleep apnea (OSA). It went through normal policy making and it was shot down in congress.

The unilateral imposition of rules by one person is what is most disturbing about this entire issue.

 

[Flopgut]

This might help some of you. It helped me manage weight through the worst work rules and absolute trash crew food CAL used to have/provide:

http://racingweight.com

I recommend the book no matter how good or bad your current fitness might be. Anyone else use/read this?

Another thought: CAL pilots might consider taking some action as a class. Our treatment was worse than any of us really could imagine at the time. We were set up to fail health wise.

 

[densoo]

"Don't you have disability coverage in your contract? Pull my medical for all I care. I'll be more than happy to collect 2/3 income for doing absolutely nothing."

Quite the cavalier attitude...You will be paid NOTHING Sir.

Sleep Apnea is NOT a disability under any LTD contract.

You will not be disabled and will not qualify for your Insurance/LTD.

You WILL have lost your FAA Medical and unless you have specific Insurance for that you will find yourself without income until you are re-qualified by the FAA Aeromedical Office in OKC.

Ready for THAT financially ?

I was, but it still SUCKED.

Been there, done it.

YKW

WL,

Did you go through it recently? What was the process to get your medical back? I heard you have to do the sleep test again after you've tried the CPAP for a couple of months. I also heard there's a new CPAP that "tells" on you by monitoring you're usage automatically if you're on a waiver for apnea. If you're not on target they pull the medical. My AME surprised me last time by asking if I snored a lot and said "the construction of the throat" looks like I might be likely to have apnea. My BMI is 26 and neck size well south of 17". With the latest FAA push I suspect he's going to ask for a sleep study before he'll issue me a medical. On what basis I do not know since I don't meet the stated criteria.

 

[EngineThunder]

Friend of one of the guys I fly with just got his medical back from a sleep apnea diagnosis. It took him 5 months off from start to finish. His tongue in cheek response about the ordeal: Don't ever tell the FAA you have sleep apnea.

 

[ultrarunner]

Whine Lover, I believe that is what wave flyer is referring too...

His CBA covers the LOSS of his medical, at which point he exercises the disability clauses associated with that coverage....

Those are great coverages, but naturally are negotiated. and it's the reason many an airline pilot has 'medical(ed) out' and waited till retirement kicked in and been just fine...

 

[wood pecker]

How tall is Santa? Kids will be sad to learn his BMI is too high and can't fly.

 

[Ex737Driver]

"Don't you have disability coverage in your contract? Pull my medical for all I care. I'll be more than happy to collect 2/3 income for doing absolutely nothing."

Quite the cavalier attitude...You will be paid NOTHING Sir.

Sleep Apnea is NOT a disability under any LTD contract.

You will not be disabled and will not qualify for your Insurance/LTD.

You WILL have lost your FAA Medical and unless you have specific Insurance for that you will find yourself without income until you are re-qualified by the FAA Aeromedical Office in OKC.

Ready for THAT financially ?

I was, but it still SUCKED.

Been there, done it.

YKW

Depends on how your particular policy is written. LTD can mean long term disability or it can mean simply loss of license. Or in others cases they have short term disability that covers part of their "out" time while sick time covers the rest. Point is, if you get dinged, get the moronic piece of junk equipment, stuff in it the bottom of your laptop or luch bag, and forget about it.

 

[scoreboardII]

It's just amazing that the Feds are going to demand a test to determine if you have a disease for which you have no symptoms. Oh wait, I forgot Obama is in the oval office...

 

[bri5150]

Anyone go for a medical recently? Is this implemented?

 

[labatt]

Anyone go for a medical recently? Is this implemented?

Just went yesterday. It was not discussed. No neck measurements were taken.

 

[SWA Bubba]

Anyone go for a medical recently? Is this implemented?

I went the other day, and while it wasn't discussed with me, she did check my weight against my height on a new wall chart that wasn't there the last time I went in. No neck measurements, but that info doesn't normally go to the FAA like height and weight do.

Bubba