Originally Posted by
WhiskeyDelta
If I may offer some advice regarding the medical debate, I would always get and maintain a 1st class medical. Doing so would ensure there are no issues missed during a second class exam that would be uncovered by the first class exam and thus cause problems when upgrading.
I'm a little surprised 9E doesn't always require and pay for the first class for this exact reason. Airlines generally require FOs to always be prepared like captains so forgive me if this sounds a little unusual that they wouldn't do this for the medical.
I don't know why anyone would let it lapse to a class 2. Just because you can don't mean you shouldn't. If I can't hold a class 1 for any reason I want to know as early as possible. You get a medical stipend of $100 iirc.