Originally Posted by
johnso29
And they absolutely should. There is zero basis for requiring every airman to be tested for OSA. Especially without seeing the effects of part 117 first.
Agreed. My point was that this was so out of line that once all the alphabet groups got their lobbyists going this policy would change. I expect their will be some kind of obesity/sleep apnea policy, but will be limited to those that show obvious symptoms and have BMIs above 35 or 40, although I could see it going to 30 as it appears that is the likely target for the BMI police.
That being said, those of you cheering this on better be careful. You guys that are skinny as a rail but have to run to the bottom of a jetbridge because you are feigning for a cigarette after every leg? Well I've seen more of those guys keel over dead from a heart attack than I ever have seen from sleep apnea. So you could be next. You guys that are rushing to get to the hotel in time for a beer before the 12 hour rule hits? Hey 30% of drinkers are hard core alcoholics so even though you don't show any signs of being one, we'll just have to suspect you are one because you enjoy the occasional beer.
My point here is this could open a pandoras box of big brother nosing his way into your private life and it may go in directions that you really may not like. We're all big boys (no pun intended). As long as you pass your blood pressure, sugar, and other general health observations that should be enough. Obese people will have other issues besides sleep apnea that will cause them to have problems on medicals. Cheering the FAA on to go after the "FATTIES" may sound good, but allowing the FAA to go on fishing expeditions just because someone "might" have a problem is a bad idea that could come back to haunt everybody.