Several thoughts ...
#1. (Most important thought) Do the FAR's say I'm not fit for duty when I know I'm sick? If the answer is yes then why can't I ask Management to call the FAA when they want more information about my illness? I'll be glad to discuss it with the FAA. Would the FAA tolerate this nonsense?
#2. Concerning BWP's Contract Section 15.D discussion ... I'm not sure anything he said was correct? When I got called in to discuss an FOM issue with Management, ALPA Legal was glad to accompany me. They explained in detail what to expect. During my subsequent 15.D status I was removed from all flights and paid in an MGT (removed by Management) status. Harvey Watt then arranged 5 medical appointments over the next 4 months. All medical bills were sent directly to Harvey Watt for payment.
The Harvey Watt doctors appear to be Contract AMEs located in their personal offices around the country. They seem to change frequently, I was assigned different doctors located in different cities. Interestingly, when the Harvey Watt doc gave Management the "wrong" answer (not the answer they wanted), I was mysteriously assigned a different doctor (is Management practicing medicine without a license?).
The FAA later investigated the FOM compliance issue and sent me a letter stating that they'd found "NO VIOLATION OF REGULATIONS."
#3. Dolores? My opinion ... she's one of the more "reasonable" Managers in the MEM "brother-in-law cubicle club" but that doesn't make any of this reasonable. I really like Dolores but I don't think I want to discuss my medical history with her.
#4. Really? Are we really having this discussion? If Management wants us to act like Professionals, then please treat us like professionals!*? Is that so much to ask?
At a previous airline when Management started making unreasonable demands we'd add extra gas and fly around with the speed brakes extended. The Airline would usually notice our displeasure almost immediately and the problem would "magically" get negotiated to a satisfactory conclusion with the Union.
