Originally Posted by
localizer
Bluedriver, my only question is- if it is such a major problem as you say it is, why do you stay on the Airbus? Is higher pay and better trips worth your health?
There's an O2 mask right next to bus pilots (although it can apparently enter the body through the skin).
Also there are blood tests I'd recommend getting annually, so you have proof of your levels if you get hit with a fume event. Levels vary in each individual, and if you ever go out on medical because of fumes, it'd be very difficult to directly link fumes with the ailments it causes (headaches, memory loss, cardiac issues, neurologic issues, etc., as those things can happen with age as well) without having baseline levels on file. If you have baselines numbers, then have highly elevated levels with subsequent issues after a fume event, it's a lot more definitive.
Here's a post from bluepilots about the tests:
Went for my medical on monday here in Pittsburgh, and had a great discussion about fumes with my AME. He he was a part of the USAir DC-9 fumes investigation in the 80s. Similar events and similar results as what we are dealing with today.
He met and worked with ALPA, the FAA, and the USAir CEO at the time. From his work, and his end of things as a medical professional, they couldn't find anything other than sick pilots and flight attendants. Then it fizzled into nothing. No more meetings. No followups to his inquiries. Nothing.
He was surprised (but not surprised) by the lack of information that is being released to us, considering this has been going on for decades.
With that, he gave me a blood work prescription. Just got back from the lab this morning and will post the results when I get them.
He ordered a full chemical exposure lab test (five items) and it looks like it'll cost me $25.61. I know nothing of this stuff, so I'll just type what was printed in the summary:
CBC W/DIFF
CMP
VENIPUNCTURE
CHOLINESTERASE;SERUM
CHOLINESTERASE;RBC
The last 2 are the tests that detect TCP exposure.
To answer your question though, some people do stay on the 190 to avoid fumes. But the pay, schedules, workload, etc., is worth it for some despite the risk if the O2 mask can partially mitigate it when needed.