Under New Hire Flight Training in the Delta Instructor Guide it says under Day 1, it is going to have the instructor check certificates.
It says notify the Fleet Captain if they do not have
– Current Airman Certificate. (minimum of commercial pilot with no center line thrust restriction and if you made it that far without anyone noticing, damn)
– An FCC Radiotelephone Operator Permit
– A First Class FAA Medical Certificate
– Verification of citizenship
– A current passport
And then the FOM says:
Medical Certificates
All Delta pilots are required to have a First Class Medical.
Captains and first officers (in categories utilizing relief pilots):
• age 40-60 - every 6 months,
• under 40 - every 12 months (1 year).
Domestic first officers ONLY (under age 60):
• every 12 months (1 year).
Any pilot OVER age 60 (any position or aircraft):
• every 6 months.
To me if you're in month 15 of your first class medical and are going to wait until before OE to get a first, then it's not a first class medical. It's a second class. And my guess is, or if I was the instructor, I'd have to stop and call and ask the fleet captain or someone for assistance and my bet would be they wouldn't be happy. Great day 1 experience.
Just get a first class medical and be done with it.