Medical fails may climb

[Fly4$]

What bothers me more than all this is half the time on the flight control check before take-off, the yoke is blocked by the other guy's belly (this is on the 737). I think you should pass your medical if that is the case. (I think it happens about 25% of my flights, estimating conservatively)

 

[Flopgut]

I recently had to wear the mask for 5 or so minutes for a simulated rapid depressurization during a sim event. We were made aware it would be coming and given a chance to clean out the mask before hand. Even so the air in the system was disgusting and I spent the next 10 days getting over cough and chest congestion. It would be nice if the FAS would step in on issues like that equally.

 

[rumpletumbler]

I would venture that nobody passes a sleep study.

 

[Bringupthebird]

I would venture that nobody passes a sleep study.

Here's some details
http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources/Medical/Medical-Certification-and-Conditions/Sleep-Disorders/Sleep-Apnea-Evaluation-Specifications.aspx

Of course no one will pass. They need to justify the testing and will do whatever is necessary to validate their assumptions.

And on the remote chance that you do pass, if your BMI is within the required testing range, you'll have to test again every 6 months until you do fail.

When your freedoms are treated like monopoly money, no one will mind giving them away.

 

[Bringupthebird]

What bothers me more than all this is half the time on the flight control check before take-off, the yoke is blocked by the other guy's belly (this is on the 737). I think you should pass your medical if that is the case. (I think it happens about 25% of my flights, estimating conservatively)

So you fly with short pilots, eh?

 

[Flopgut]

When your freedoms are treated like monopoly money, no one will mind giving them away.

Age 60 was as free as we were ever going to be. Think of how many pilots finished at the airline and went on to fly another 20 years. Freedom takes responsibility, ours was to abide by 60, and a minority of us weren't up to it.

 

[Bringupthebird]

You can retire whenever you wish, but once they clamp the CPAP machine on, it's there for the rest of your career.

There is a distinct difference between being forced to take a test for a condition for which you have no symptoms and which jeopardizes your entire career, and being granted the freedom to fly an additional 5 years if you so choose.

Sorry Flop, Age 60 is a Apples-to-Watermelons comparison.

 

[Bringupthebird]

It is not too much of a stretch of the imagination for the government to monitor compliance with treatment for pre-existing conditions as a pre-requisite for future government health care coverage. Cheating on the CPAP could cost you dearly, even if it's not the least bit effective.

 

[Flopgut]

There is a distinct difference between being forced to take a test for a condition for which you have no symptoms and which jeopardizes your entire career, and being granted the freedom to fly an additional 5 years if you so choose.

Sorry Flop, Age 60 is a Apples-to-Watermelons comparison.

Much is "granted", much is expected. I don't agree with this OSA witch hunt either, but it's the first of many things pilots like you have brought down on us. I'm sure you'll never understand the big picture, just try not to screw up anything else please.

 

[Ex737Driver]

What bothers me more than all this is half the time on the flight control check before take-off, the yoke is blocked by the other guy's belly (this is on the 737). I think you should pass your medical if that is the case. (I think it happens about 25% of my flights, estimating conservatively)

You're forgetting to hollar, "suck it in" before you do the check. Now if we could just get the bald bastards to put a hat on and get the sleazy ones to not show everyone their BOG girlfriend pics we might be making some headway.

 

[waveflyer]

"Bog"?

 

[Smarta$$]

OK. I did the math correctly . Instead of over $313 thousand per student, I got $313.33 per student. Would that make a difference on your opinion of your fellow voters?

Probably not. Ideology trumps math.

 

[Ex737Driver]

"Bog"?

Bogata

 

[Smarta$$]

Will you guys please get to the comedy of this:

1. Guys on the overnight cutting wait like wrestlers. Running up and down the hotel hallway in trash bags and sweat shirts.

2. Interview: tell me about a time you exercised. Tell me about a time you walked away from a crew drinking and eating wings.

3. The obvious FA windfall

4. How about the BMI and retirement numbers at Delta/United etc.

Bravo Dude! Bravo!

 

[densoo]

What bothers me more than all this is half the time on the flight control check before take-off, the yoke is blocked by the other guy's belly (this is on the 737). I think you should pass your medical if that is the case. (I think it happens about 25% of my flights, estimating conservatively)

FO used to to the flight control check. When CA called for the After Start I promptly did the check. On probation with a horizontally enhanced captain. Yoke hits him. Critiqued me after flight to warn him when I'm going to pull the yoke. I'm going to pull the yoke when you call for the checklist--see the connection?

 

[Dan Roman]

FO used to to the flight control check. When CA called for the After Start I promptly did the check. On probation with a horizontally enhanced captain. Yoke hits him. Critiqued me after flight to warn him when I'm going to pull the yoke. I'm going to pull the yoke when you call for the checklist--see the connection?

Do you do everything in a rote way? . You were new, but as you gain experience most realize that it is good CRM and good situational awareness to have the courtesy to think about the other pilot and how your actions may effect your fellow pilot rather than just blindly do what the checklist calls for without thinking whether or not it is a good time or place to do so.

 

[Flopgut]

Do you do everything in a rote way? . You were new, but as you gain experience most realize that it is good CRM and good situational awareness to have the courtesy to think about the other pilot and how your actions may effect your fellow pilot rather than just blindly do what the checklist calls for without thinking whether or not it is a good time or place to do so.

Replace "control check" with "raise retirement age", then reconsider your words.

You guys can talk the talk, can't walk the walk.

 

[densoo]

Do you do everything in a rote way? . You were new, but as you gain experience most realize that it is good CRM and good situational awareness to have the courtesy to think about the other pilot and how your actions may effect your fellow pilot rather than just blindly do what the checklist calls for without thinking whether or not it is a good time or place to do so.

If he didn't know the flight control check was in the checklist he was calling for then I really don't what I could do for him. It wasn't the first time. And yes, I run checklist in a rote way, as they're written, by SOP.

 

[Ty Webb]

Do you do everything in a rote way? . You were new, but as you gain experience most realize that it is good CRM and good situational awareness to have the courtesy to think about the other pilot and how your actions may effect your fellow pilot rather than just blindly do what the checklist calls for without thinking whether or not it is a good time or place to do so.

Yep. It's funny how some guys are completely clueless about this . . . . I could be on the phone with MOC and they just start reciting the departure brief . . . . and at a point of departure where you really want to have both guys paying attention to the DP, or getting the clearance over the radio at some foreign location, when you're not even in the cockpit.

Indoc 101- If you are getting the clearance over the radio, ask the other pilot if he'd like to listen in, especially at any place where they end your clearance with, "Vaya con Dios, Citroos". :laugh:

 

[Bringupthebird]

I wonder if Harvey Watt will be ready for the onslaught? And everyone here thinks that their insurance will pay for it, but if you need a referral from a Primary Care Physician, they may not give it without some symptoms of sleep apnea. Then you'll be on the hook for the hundreds or thousands of dollars in testing expense.

If the FAA can get away with bypassing the rulemaking process, how secure do you think other FAA policies such as ASAP, union participation in accident investigation and perhaps the longstanding policy of not punishing pilots involved in accidents with jail time?