dash3t

Hey All,

I have a somewhat unusual ( or maybe not) situation. I've been out of commercial flying for about 9 ms due to a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Second class medical expired just as I was going into treatment so I waited to renew until I was done. Fast forward to today, treatment is done, cancer free, and completed my first class medical exam last week. All things being equal, would have been issued on the spot, but It was of course deferred pending FAA review of the cancer treatment documentation. I fully expect it will be approved but the variable being timing of the FAA getting around to the review and issuing the medical.

Just prior to diagnosis I had started with a new 135 operator but due to the extent of treatment required, was let go fairly quickly. I would likely be able to jump right back in with them once my medical is issued however, after surviving cancer I've been reevaluating some things and, long story short, I'm not sure that's still what I want to be doing.

So I was planning on applying to some LCC(s) and probably a couple main line carriers as well, and the question I have is whether I should wait until my medical is officially approved and issued, or if I could maybe send out the apps now, and put in my applications somewhere that I've applied for the 1st class and it's deferred pending FAA review? The hope being that with class dates being fairly far out for most carriers in a lot of cases, that I would more than likely have the approval before an actual class date came up, and maybe I could shorten the amount of time I'd have to wait verses waiting till I actually have the medical in hand to apply in the first place.

So what do you guys think, possible to get an interview with a deferred 1st class medical application considering it's a fairly cut and dry deferral with positive outcome from treatment, or suck it up and wait until i actually have it issued and in hand?

TIA,
Dash

dera

There is no such thing as "cut and dry deferral". You either have, or don't have a 1st class. An application screener at an airline has no clue how FAA processes deferrals or SIs.

Wait it out. You don't want to make your application stale by applying without the minimums.

habibraja2k23

If you are eager to start your application process, you can choose to "Apply Now." However, if you have specific reasons for waiting or if you need additional information before proceeding, you may consider waiting for "Deferral Issuance." It's essential to weigh your options and make a decision that aligns with your preferences and circumstances.

Bumper

I would wait till you have the medical in hand. Like another poster said there is no real cut and dry deferral. Be odd to explain to LCC a wait can't take the class date due to no medical yet and loose the job completely.
My medical was deferred due applying for a first class too soon after issued a second class. Now the FAA wants all info on VA disability and eye surgery. All VA disabilities have been disclosed for years and eye surgery last year. Submitted all paperwork they asked for 10 weeks ago. The FAA med express hasn't updated and when I call OKC they say it's in review. AOPA says takes 4 weeks just to get scanned into the system running about 120 days total but all depends on each case. I am fortunate they are holding my position I have been at for 5 years but not sure how much longer as they can legally fill it since my FMLA is done,
Best of Luck

JohnBurke

Apply when you're qualified to accept the job.

PacManFlyer

Apologies in advance for replying without being able to provide any words of wisdom, but I can sympathize to some degree because I am in somewhat of a similar predicament regarding when to apply for jobs based on a medical issue. Decided last month I wanted to transition to the airlines, but inadvertently discovered on my own that I should have disclosed VA disability benefits to the FAA in the past which I did not do. I have never received a letter from the FAA about this so on the advice of a couple of lawyers I spoke with I self reported last week when it was time for me to re-up my medical with my AME. My VA disability was for a 10 year old mild sleep apnea diagnosis so as soon as I found out what it was for last month I found an old CPAP in the attic along with all my old VA records, dusted it off and immediately started using it. By the time I had my consult with the AME I already had 17 days of compliance at 6hrs per night per the FAA requirement so the AME issued my 1st class on the spot because I was already able to show current compliance with treatment for my previous diagnosis, BUT he also sent me to a pulmonologist in anticipation the FAA will want an updated sleep study and if still diagnosed will required 30 days of CPAP compliance along with the recent sleep study report for review. Based on my previous results and current health the pulmonologist my AME referred me to thinks my case is so mild based on my previous sleep study scores that he will probably be able to un-diagnose me with the new results IF they come out the same. Worst case scenario if my scores come out high enough for a re-diagnosis I will just have to show CPAP compliance from now on which the AME is not concerned about since I have already demonstrated I am capable of doing so. I'm ready to start applying to the airlines, but I'm not sure if I should wait until the sleep study is done, results are back, AME has sent all info to the FAA and I am cleared under an SI waiver OR apply now since I have my 1st class in hand, and my AME and Pulmonologist have no concerns about me being able to keep my medical and continue flying with this diagnosis in the future. Again, not deferred like in the original post, but at some point in the future I will receive an FAA letter requesting updated documentation on this issue for review and nobody can tell me what my status will be once I receive the letter or how long the FAA may take to review my case. I feel like everyday I sit around waiting to apply is another day I am losing seniority wherever I end up, but I also don't know how long the hiring process and on-boarding will take...how long it will take to get an interview, get a class date, complete initial training, etc. and if and when this could become an issue along the way. In the meantime I have updated my resume, reviewed my logbooks and I'm researching interview consulting companies this week so I can start an interview preparation program as soon as next week. Anyone out there with experience in this arena please chime in and thank you.

JohnBurke

At the rate the FAA;s wheels turn, you could be some time before you hear back from the FAA, and if your updated conditions are accepted without issue, you won't hear from them at all. Meanwhile you'd be in limbo waiting to apply.
If you currently hold a FAA medical certificate, you hold the qualification to apply.
It may be worth, in addition to your AME, consultation with AMAS or a similar group that specializes in getting your medical through the pipeline.

I would probably make my application now, were it me. Aside from the medical certification, be current and ready to pass a checkride.