Medical - What does "It will be issued from OK." mean, and how long?

[Snakum]

Did my medical yesterday morning, and when the Doc put my stuff thru the computer yesterday afternoon the FAA says they can't find me in the database, even though I just ordered and received a new format license last week!?!?!

What the bleed'n FUQ over?!?

Has anyone had to have their medical "issued from Oklahoma", and if so, how long does that take? I know it can take three to six months for a denial, but this isn't a denial, just a foul-up according to my AME.

Any ideas?

Minh

 

[skyking1976]

Something smells fishy here... I always got my medical issued immediately after the exan by the AME. Is there a new format some AME's are using? I have never heard of any computer entry required by an AME n order to have a medical issued...

SK

 

[falconpilot]

Have you had a medical done at this doctor before? Something definately doesn't add up... I just did my medical last week.... The form that you fill out has your medical cetificate connected to it. The one that asked current flight time, time in last 6 months, meds that you are taking etc..... Not sure what else to say.... Usually a medical is pretty routine unless something is medically wrong.... Good luck. Let us know what happens..

 

[dhoward]

Computer

I got a fresh medical at the end of May. My AME issued the certificate on the spot, but called me the next day to tell me about a computer problem. I was told that the FAA computer showed that I had already applied for a medical through another AME. I hadn't. The problem was resolved with a call to the feds from my doc. I never knew that the apps were sent in via computer before this.

 

[Flying the Line]

I've had one issued from OKC. It is no big deal, happened when I was a new pilot and had a third class and went in to up to a second class, my Doc sent the request in and a new medical was issued and signed by the head AME at OKC. You can have a copy faxed to you, just do a search for their aeromedical division phone number.

 

[huncowboy]

Got mine issued from OK. Took 3 months. The reason was that I have a mild case of asthma and I had to do additional examinations. First I had to get a referral for pulminary examination, then I had to do some tests in a hospital, then a recommendation from the doctor, etc... and a whole package was sent to OK for review. Finally got it approved as a 1st class w/o restrictions but like I've said, it did take 3 months from the time my package was sent to OK until I got my medical in the mail.

Although my AME kept saying my asthma won't prevent me from flying, needless to say I was worried throughout the whole time and postponed my traininig until I got it in my hands.

However since your case is a screwup, I would be on the phone with OK every day.

 

[troy]

On my last class 2, I reported something that I thought I reported before (woops). Anyway, I think mine took about 6 weeks or so. Probably just a computer fart or something. I think that I would go back to the AME and have him re-run it or call to verify.

 

[Snakum]

I brought copies of my last two medicals and both my PPL tickets (one old format, one new which they just sent me last week) to the AME this morning. His nurse says that this AME always enters the data first via FAA Aeromedicine website, and then calls the applicant to pick up the cert after it's entered and no red flags are generated (I've always been handed the medical immediately after fnishing the exam before). However, when he tried to enter the data I wasn't listed, and the FAA says they can't find me in the database, even though I can find myself on their website and they just sent me a new license and I just did a change of address. His nurse says someone must have entered some numbers wrong somewhere. She says it happens from time to time, and she's had airline pilots flagged as not in the database which grounded them for a few days while it was figured out in OK. Shes says it's no biggie, and they'll probably resolve it within days, but I dunno ...

Whatta freaking crock!

Anyone have a phone number for the Areomedical Division in OK?

Minh

 

[TR4A]

Iwhen he tried to enter the data I wasn't listed, and the FAA says they can't find me in the database, even though I can find myself on their website and they just sent me a new license and I just did a change of address.

Whatta freaking crock!

It's the Federal Government. They also have a state-of-the-art Air Traffic Control system too.

 

[NuGuy]

I brought copies of my last two medicals and both my PPL tickets (one old format, one new which they just sent me last week) to the AME this morning. His nurse says that this AME always enters the data first via FAA Aeromedicine website, and then calls the applicant to pick up the cert after it's entered and no red flags are generated (I've always been handed the medical immediately after fnishing the exam before). However, when he tried to enter the data I wasn't listed, and the FAA says they can't find me in the database, even though I can find myself on their website and they just sent me a new license and I just did a change of address. His nurse says someone must have entered some numbers wrong somewhere. She says it happens from time to time, and she's had airline pilots flagged as not in the database which grounded them for a few days while it was figured out in OK. Shes says it's no biggie, and they'll probably resolve it within days, but I dunno ...

Whatta freaking crock!

Anyone have a phone number for the Areomedical Division in OK?

Minh

Hi Minh,

The database of pilots is seperate from the database of medicals, because not all pilots are required to have medicals (gliders, for instance). When you change your address with the FAA, it actually gets changed in two places, and the medical certification branch is seperate from the pilot certification branch.

Best,
Nu

 

[Snakum]

Things are getting stranger and stranger ...

I called the Aeromedical Office in OK and got a live person immediately. When I explained the situation she said that my info came right up, and that there were no red flags or anything unusual in my file. She asked if the AME was merely having trouble transmitting, and said to give him her number if he is.

This completely contradicts what I was told yesterday and again today by the AME and his nurse, that the FAA couldn't find me and that they needed some more paperwork (which I provided this morning).

Something's VERY fishy ... the FAA says I'm all set, but my doc says there's a paperwork problem.

Minh

 

[Snakum]

As the worm turns ...

Just spoke to the AME again, who acted very strange, and let it slip in a round-a-bout way that he called Atlanta instead of OK and in addition to trying to process my medical thru them, he evidently told them that I'd brought an unprocessed medical certificate form in with me, which is a huge NO-NO since 9/11. I had it because the first medical I scheduled two weeks ago at a different AME got all screwed up when I waited for three hours (no exaggeration) and never finished because the Doc got too busy. When I stormed out I just had it in my hand. The nurse made an issue about it Wednesday so I explained why I had it and I gave it too her.

So it seems, I am in the middle of one AME spilling the beans on another AME to the regional AeroMed office for allowing me to get out of his office with the form. So, I may get my medical Monday ... or I may get my medical in two weeks from OK ... or I may have stormtroopers knocking down my door tonight and carrying me to Gitmo with the rest of the terrorists.

Lovely ... just f@cking lovely.

Minh

 

[RightPedal]

Try being an overweight crop dusters, and a smoker on high blood pressure medicine, and two knee surgeries in the past two years.
The last class-2 took me five months to get. And now, After the way they treated me yesterday, just for asking if I should re-schedule due to a little wheeze after bronchitis, I'm about ready to scream. What the h$ll does having a little cold have to do with taking an exam and 61:53 anyway, Huh? I just want a paper, not fly his Boo.

Anybody know a fat AME that smokes??

 

[chperplt]

Who was the Dr?? Post his info so we can all stay the hell away!!

 

[RightPedal]

Who was the Dr?? Post his info so we can all stay the hell away!!

No way man, they might blindfold me and have me read outloud on camera "I am fat...I am a terroroist smoker" cut my head off and send the clip to the AOPA.
You may know this guy anyway if you are x-army chperplt trained in the southeast.

 

[NuGuy]

deleted

 

[bafanguy]

Snakum,


Run, do not walk away from that AME. It doesn't matter how innocent the mistake was, it cost you in stress and aggravation, and threatened your flying. The garden-variety doc just does FAA physicals for the easy money and isn't the "expert" he should be when it comes to dealing with the FAA ( it's like handling a poisonous snake...it can be done but you better know what you're doing ). I've heard a number of stories over the years about guys having their careers interrupted for no more reason than a paperwork error from some busy doc's office who just sees pilots as a side issue.

I find virtually no docs who "get it" when it comes to dealing with pilots. Ask around and find a senior AME with a good reputation...preferrably one who doesn't mess with all those sick people who cause three hour sits in the waiting room.

There are docs around who ONLY do FAA physicals. If you were in ATL, I could steer you right. Good luck getting this fixed.

 

[Snakum]

Week two beginning ...

I talked to the FAA today in OK, they said that the medical was submitted to them Friday and hadn't been procesed yet. Friday afternoon the Doc said he might try to submit it to the FAA Monday, since the Atlanta Regional Aeromed people kicked it back over me having an unprocessed form in my hand when I walked in (from the pervious AME who never got around to seeing me). So someone is BS'ing someone. This guy was kinda weird from the start, and made me uncomfortable (though his nurse was nice), and now it appears his making a stink about me having the medical form is going to cost me dearly. I can imagine the FAA will want a noterized statement about how I came into possession of it and God knows what else. Having heard a number of horror stories from his nurse about "her pilots", I am inclined to believe this doctor is a bit of a fukup, because I have NEVER heard this much BS about an AME having this many paperwork problems, and I have never had anything remotely like this happen to me personally.

If anyone you know gets medicals done in the Greensboro NC area, PM for the name of one to steer away from. I will regret not paying the $120 to the old guy downtown for a long time to come, I'm afraid. I was trying to save money and get it done thru Blue Cross. Hard lessons ... hard lessons.



Minh "Grounded" Thong

 

[Vector4fun]

Snakeum,

If it makes you fell any better, I get an FAA "Sponsored" medical every year because I'm a Controller. Used to be, the Doc handed me a regular 2nd Class certificate before I walked out the door. Some dozen years ago, the FAA told the Docs to stop doing that, and just had them sign a form that basically says I'm OK to work traffic unless the Regional Flight Surgeon says otherwise after reviewing the package. I have to specifically request a 2nd class certificate from the Doc because I'm a pilot.

Now it gets even stranger. The Doc still isn't allowed to give me my medical, (because I'm mildly diabetic I'm told), but the request is noted on the Forms that go to Region. Nevertheless, about 30 or so days after my physical, I *always* have to call Ft. Worth, (which is where the FAA Flight surgeon for controllers' office is) and politely inquire about my flight physical. The sweet lady there always has to look into it for me, (she knows me by name now) and usually has to hand walk my package down to another office, (because the FAA doc who says I'm healthy enough to vector airliners hasn't the authority to say I'm healthy enough to pilot a Skyhawk), and after 45-60 total days, I get a flight physical. Note that since my flight physical is a "Special issuance", it isn't good as a 3rd class during this time, it's completely null and void after a year, so I'm grounded for that time.

 

[Snakum]

Man ... I have a new respect for what you guys who make a living at this have to go thru. I can imagine if you're putting food on the table by flying/controlling, a problem like mine is MUCH more than a pain in the @ss ... it's an unmitigated disaster. I'm just pissed because I can't go up alone, but you guys have to worry about getting a paycheck to make the rent and put food in your kid's mouths.

I'm seriously rethinking this mid-life career change. This thing with the AME has forced me to consider where I'd be if I didn't have a secure (albeit low-paying) job, but rather was instructing and flying part-time charter to for a living. I don't think my nerves could take going thru this once a year if it was my actual vocation.

Perhaps it'd better to instruct part-time, fly the bosses around in rented Skyhawks, and hope we get big enough to justify a King Air.

Minh

 

[Snakum]

AME Soap Opera continues ...

After calling the folks in OK and now in ATL - who have all been VERY helpful - I have pieced together the following:

The AME, angry because I had the aforementioned copy of the unprocessed medical form, raised a stink about it when he sent my stuff into Atlanta. He wants something to happen to the other AME which allowed the form out of his office, I guess. As a result, the FAA now wants all information related to MY two misdemeanors from 1993 and 1998 (duely reported on all my medical apps since 1995) to ensure I'm not a terrorist, since he told them I had a super-secret federal form in my possession.

Oddly enough, so far the FAA in OK and ATL have been very accessible, and unbelievably helpful. That was a pleasent surprise in all of this BS.

Minh "Grounded" Thong

 

[LAZYB]

We have met the enemy and he is us - Pogo

Just got a call for an interview Friday.

This weekend the letter comes from FAA medical OK, the 1st class I took back in Nov of '03 needs some "plausible deniability", explaining, and/or just a couple pounds of flesh/misery.

Four items that I marked "previously reported", and have reported and marked so for 20+ years, they have NO RECORD OF. Sounds like BS to me. A dui in 1980, the nebulous have you ever been in a hospital (no - born in a barn), etc.

Back in '94 I followed the pundits recommendation and got my Federal Drivers Registry records (or whatever they call it) and my FAA license/medical info. The medical forms forwarded were only for 3 years, because they claim they don't keep the forms any longer than that, hmmm. My AME says that may be true, but, they may have computer records, hmmm.

Geez, all this BS cuz some illegal alien down in OK working for the gov't can't find my records...