Originally Posted by Jerald Block MD

ALCON:

On Dec 4th, 2024 the FAA briefed the AMEs at their regular monthly meeting that the FAA was going to essentially eliminate the "Deferral." Instead, those that were to be "Deferred" should be "Denied." There were some cavaats but that is the basic policy change, in a nutshell. An AME can describe the exceptions in more detail, below.

The policy was to be implemented on 1/1/2025. Unions and Pilot Advocacy groups wrote the FAA, appealing the decision and the process by which it was made. As a result, the FAA agreed to delay the new policy until March 1st, 2025 and to solicit more input.

This might have a large impact on you -- to be "denied" rather than "deferred." I strongly suggest you talk with your pilot/ATC leadership and union, if you have concerns. There is also time to prevent the policy change, if there is enough will and support to do so.

Thanks,

Jerald Block, MD