Originally Posted by
B727DRVR
OK Everybody,
This actually interests me now that I have been out of flying for a year and a half recovering from cancer... What exactly is part of the background check? I realize that they do the FBI background check, the Accident/Incident background check, the list of 8710 check and checkride outcomes, but what about the medical background check?
When I talked to FAA Medical, they told me that my medical records were privileged information due to HIPPA concerns, but I wonder what the airlines want/get? It would take forever to go into what chemo drugs I took and when, what radiation dosage I received and when, and what pain and nausea drugs I took with what dosage and when. Do the airlines get or even want your FAA Medical Records? I guess it doesn't matter because I obviously want to disclose that in an interview to explain my time away from flying, and honestly as a positive survivor story. But it's also kind of personal.
So are there any recruiting department types here who might know what medical records the airlines actually request/get?
Thanks to everybody. I was doing fine as a stay-at-home Dad, until I told my Wife that she was loading MY dishwasher incorrectly; She demanded that I call FAA Medical hurry them the hell up approving my Special Issuance Medical
.
It's been a while since I have had any direct knowledge about medicals, but, here goes.
As far as I know, if you can hold a current FAA class 1, they don't really care about your history. They may ask for it, but I don't think it will affect any part of your eligibility. In the past, I know of people I recommended that did not pass the then UAL medical, but when they had their issues corrected, were offered a job. It's that simple.
Good luck, and congratulations on your continuing recovery. BTW, my wife won't let me load the dishwasher for exactly the same reason!
My guess is that if you can hold the medical, they can't really deny you based on that. It would be discrimination. American and Delta both got caught on those a while ago. American for the astronaut physical, and Delta for the shrink interview and the rocking chair.