Originally Posted by
hawkerpilot05
Our union has stated SWA no longer covers FAA medical holds. I am asking if that is true? NetJets initially did, but has rescinded this policy except in extreme cases, for example when a medical board only meets ever other month. As we never codified it in our CBA , we are stuck with it. We have a handful of pilots caught in this quagmire. I almost got caught in it too. Personally, I would now just rather be denied then to have a hold.
To clarify for the readers you mean your NetJets union stated this, correct?
I have been out on medical leave since February jumping through required procedures and waiting for the FAA. My LOL and LTD is in full effect. I have never been questioned by the company regarding a “medical hold” nor have I ever heard that term in any of my interactions with my AME (who serves on an FAA Cardiology board).
Since I now am going to be in a special issuance scenario (resolvable), my subsequent medical application has been “deferred” pending FAA review (after I did the required procedures per the FAA).
If you are “denied” a medical, it’s either game over for you or you go through the protocol for special issuance to get it back. This is why we have Loss of License and Short Term and Long Term Disability. Not really sure where the “medical hold” terminology comes from—I’ve never received any notice from the FAA with this statement. The only thing I’ve gotten from the Feds is a letter stating my medical records have been requested by the LTD people.