JohnBurke

What's going on here, were it not to be a "troll" imposter pretending to be an AME so new, and so ignorant of his profession and price-setting practices, is the equivalent of a redneck rural tow truck driver, who, when asked for his rate, simply replies, "how much you got, boy?"

The effect is sickening. One could not trust such an AME. One should not trust an AME with such low scruples, such little foresight, such inexperience, so low comprehension, and such inability to read the room that he'd even ask such a question, and that not among peers, but on an aviation web board.

Just trying out how much I can milk you for, boy. Seven hunded dollar reimbursement? That's my new rate. I don't do just AA physicals, but I'll set my prices based on what AA pilots get reimbursed. Maybe set rates for each applicant, based on their employer. What's next? Get a credit check on the applicant, perhaps require him to bring in a bank account so the bill can be based on a percentage of his income? A thousand dollar reimbursement? New going rate for a first class medical, with an EKG, a thousand bucks.

For god damn sure he better be showing a 100% pass rate with a massive conflict of interest like that. A medical visit that's not based on pilot condition, not based on anything but setting the price, at the maximum that can be afforded. The ferrari of physicians.

Of curiosity, does this ferrari of physicians offer specialized service doing Lantern tests, special-issuance, and helping applicants through the process at all levels, or is it just a slick-back put-yer-money-in-the-paperclip and pick-up-yer-paper kinda guy? After all, he'd have to be really special to rate top bill, based on whatever he can pry out of the applicants pockets. Doubtless throngs of students will flock to him for their initial, or perhaps hes such a popular (fake) AME that he's turning away business anyway, and can afford to drive away customers who might otherwise have given him good money for a fifteen minute check.

Let's face it: the flight physical is a money making racket anyway, so the man who takes the time to become a designee for the FAA has an all-but-guaranteed stream of hopefulls busting down his door to pay cash on the barrel head for what amounts to little more than a quick consultation. He can schedule more patients in a day than he'd otherwise see. No malpractice issues. No expenses other than office and minimal staff, and not much investment in equipment. Staying current isn't that hard so what's not to love? Just tell me how much you got boy, and that's the price. New contract, they'll give you up to two thousand for a medical? That's my new price. Impressive.

Way to be out of step with the rest of the country, when it comes to pricing for FAA medicals. Go figure.

You're an actual AME? Yeah, right. Sure.

AllYourBaseAreB

Guys have reported this actually happening this month

thrust

Just don’t tell the AME where you work.

JohnBurke

Don't fill out the MedExpress form? Job title and employer are on the FAA 8500-8, lines 11 and 12.

Of course, the AME won't have that information when the airman makes his appointment for a FAA physical exam, and the AME should have advertised his rates up front.

Does the AME set his rates based on what American pilots get for reimbursement? Does he set different rates for different employers? Sounds like potential legal action, and sounds prejudicial. Ought not the AME perform the exam without regard to color, creed, religion, politics, or even place of employment? If the AME sets rates based on the most he can get from American pilots, are other pilots going to pay this, who aren't getting reimbursed, or will other pilots go elsewhere? Will the FAA tolerate a situation in which the AME only does physicals for American pilots, based on getting the maximum pay from American pilots? Is this how the FAA wants their designation used?

Then again, how many pilots will keep going to the AME who jacks up his rates based on whatever he thinks he can milk out of the client, when the airman can simply go elsewhere? If other AME's are playing this game, perhaps pilots need to change their choice of AME's.

thrust

Okay. Put your guard/reserve job down. Or leave it blank. You don’t have to be employed by a part 121 air carrier to get an FAA medical.

Whatever. I’m in the “this is a troll/sock puppet account” camp. And if they were real, and tried this, they won’t be able to pull it off for very long… lots of “AME recommendation near Anytown, USA?” posts across the interwebs and it’ll be talked about a lot.

Unless, of course, their goal is to charge you the max an airline will reimburse and then secretly split the difference with you, refunding 50% of the difference or whatever. Can almost guarantee people will be trying that.

rickair7777

Or maybe $500 gets you the platinum exam... sometimes less is more.

JohnBurke

For five hundred bucks, I'm taking two damn mints out of the bowl on the way out.

Name User

That is yearly cost not per medical, reimbursement of actual cost

It boils down to $139 per regular medical with a kicker for EGK of up to $200.

Name User

I'm going to the guy whose eye machine I can read, the costs are inconsequential

Excargodog

and the guy’s name is:
FELOPZD
DEFPOTEC