Originally Posted by
DAL 88 Driver
Delta has a doctor they retain for our pilots. This doctor is just as knowledgeable (if not more so) as the AMAS doctors. And he works directly with the FAA Southern Region Flight Surgeon and can often get things looked at within days or even hours (AMAS told me it would take 3 to 4 weeks just for my file to rise to the top of the cue in OKC). I was able to get back to flying much faster by going this route and I would be very hesitant in the future to use ALPA (AMAS) when Delta already provides a much more effective resource for us.
True, the Delta doc is very knowledgeable and has a great working relationship with the FAA. He is also an AME, whereas the AMAS docs are not, on purpose.
The difference? The Delta doctor, as an AME, is obligated to report any grounding codition to the FAA. If you call him to simply discuss something and mention a grounding conditon, that's it. The AMAS group, by purposely not being AMEs, provide doctor/patient privilege. They will not/cannot report anything to the FAA without your permission.
It's your medical; do what you will with it.