Originally Posted by
rickair7777
In the past airlines have specified a medical with no restrictions other than corrective lenses.
Regionals seem to have eased up on that, probably due to the pilot shortage, they may want to at least see what your medical says before they make a decision.
The light gun limitation would have essentially no relevance to real-world ops but airline pilots are expected to be able to do it.
I suspect an airline (or at least some of them) would accept the (very low) liability risk, but they would also need to satisfy their FAA CMO. That might involve a limitation of not flying with another pilot with a similar restriction?
Majors would be more likely than regionals to not accept such a restriction...I suspect most of them would not.
Better pass the test. If you don't, then you'd need to contact individual airlines about their policy. Consider carefully at that point...if nobody will hire you but the worst bottom-feeders, planning a career airlines might not be a good idea.
91/135 might offer a path of less resistance than 121.
Just note that when you pass an alternative color vision test (which you must repeat every renewal!) or the MFT/OCVT (no need to repeat which is why I recommend this route), your medical is UNRESTRICTED. There is no comment on it regarding color vision. The Letter of Evidence you get for passing the MFT/OCVT emphasizes this and specifically says a "Statement of Demonstrated Ability" is NOT REQUIRED and that you have fully met the standard for color vision. As of now I hear that no airlines do their own color vision testing (some used to I also have heard).. and if they did, that could be legal trouble for them since the FAA says your legal. If you have the Night Flight restriction and didn't pass, well that's a different story. You might be able to find a day job somewhere, but you have to be ok with being limited to those types of jobs.. Unfair in my view.