They say politics makes for strange bedfellows and this TA is doing exactly that. I'd never sign a DPA card because I don't want to be associated with people like TC or Carl or Purple. Heck, both of you are normally on my ignore list! But dangit Carl, you're absolutely right about something and it got me thinking.

Carl: "There are no abusers because if there were they'd be fired and they aren't doing that.". (Surface sucks for quoting on this forum).

Why is that I ask myself. It's because the can't. They might have the goods but they still can't because it is a contractual benefit after all. I flew with a guy who said he called in sick every month just because he could. It was his benefit. He's got a brother or brother in law who's a doctor so verification is no problem. The company hates it I'm sure but all they can do is harass him with a CP but Honey Badger don't care.

So what does the company do? This TA is the answer. Sec 14.G.3 says if the DHS doesn't like your verification after the MRT it may be "expanded to include a Company designated doctor or other health care professionals and the Director - Health Services and SVP of FO.".

So what does that mean? It means that a doc in the company can take your medical records and if not happy with your sick use can notify the FAA for certificate action. At the least it can notify the FAA and when you get your medical and don't report every one of those doc visits on your FAA form they got you for that.

I know the Delta medical guy has done more to help pilots get their tickets back. But we are talking about guys that the company wants to change their behavior at the least or terminate at the worst. Does anyone doubt that the "company designated doctor" will be on our side?

Thank you Carl for giving me this epiphany.