FLMD11CAPT

Overweight:/ If you can't see "Big Jim and the Twins" without bending over...........Hmmmmm........I might need to do a little road work........

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de727ups

Thread moved to Age 65 forum.

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nitefr8r

ICAO has long been after the FAA to tighten it's medical standards up considerably. Although the law raising of the mandatory retirement age to 65 did contain a provision prohibiting the FAA from changing medical standards for those over 65 (eg a super first class physical) as a result of the law change, there is nothing to prohibit the FAA from changing medical standards to match the most stringent ICAO participatory countries. Some of those are multi-day affairs btw, and include some invasive procedures (cholesterol checks etc).

I pointed out the possibility of raising the standards (which had been brought while I was still the LAX v/chairman) with DW and the then MEC just prior to the age 65 being crammed down our throats and was told that there would be protections against having tighter standards for those over 65. I made a point of informing the MEC officers etc, that they were missing the point -- all standards could be raised and the new legislation will just give ICAO and those having the same mindset more ammo.

For the most part I hope it's all just talk. I hate to see things change so much that getting a physical is a horridly difficult process (getting a one in Hawaii with the current system is nearly impossible as it is now).

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rickair7777

I think it would be very difficult politically for the FAA to drastically change the medical requirements across the board...

- What is their excuse for doing it? Safety? But they allowed age 65 on the grounds that there would be no reduction in safety...

- While ALPA is seemingly weak, AOPA is not. I think if the two got together (they would), they could shut anything down.

- Due process: If it came down to it, a class-action suit could probably prevail on due process grounds and at least get a grandfather clause for existing medical holders. That's assuming there is no precipitating accident, ie total hull loss due to two incapacitated pilots, both of whom had know health risk factors. If something like that happens, we'll all be getting our arteries MRI'ed on a quarterly basis

JetJocF14

Well personally if you want to go tit-for-tat then I think some of those same rules should apply to Congress. After all I don't want a fat president or first lady. Nor do we want anybody in congress with high blood pressure or other bad things. After all it's all about the safety of our country........

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Lighteningspeed

I'm all for this.....I'm sick of flying with frumpy fat pilots. I want my captains to look like Chippendale's. If it ain't tight, it ain't right guys! I need a little eye candy to keep me awake on these long transcons for crying out loud! [/quote]

By your statement, I assume you are an eye candy yourself? Hey I am slim, can I get a job where you work? I promise I will behave.

Lighteningspeed

Let' see, hmm. Get rid of fat congressmen. Well, that just about covers everyone at the Capital Hill. That's a good start. I am all for that.

JetPiedmont

Speaking of Flight Attendants and being overweight....

Albief15

How many of your poker players really want loose medical standards? What if the FAA did get aggressive? Do you think that would eliminate more pilots in front of you and/or scare some dudes into retiring when they got their first shot at it?

If you are a healthy person, a more aggressive medical policy might HELP your career. Yeah...its a nasty, Machivellian way of looking at the issue--but there are two sides to it.

Me...I've had 2 back surgeries in 2 years...so I'm all for just fogging the mirror and calling it good...

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VBone

I am with you Albie

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