AAL763

Hello, I was wondering if I would even be considered at a major airline if I have a special issuance on my medical? I don't want to spend all of my money on flight school if I know I would never have the chance to fly for the major airlines.

Best Regards,
Robert

HercDriver130

probably depends on the hiring climate at the time. Some yes.. some no. there is more to aviation... even big plane aviation than the Legacy carriers.


probably depends on what the SI is for as well.

AAL763

It would be for ADD.

rickair7777

An SI is a bad thing...usually it allows a professional pilot to remain employed at his current job. But it is likely to be a hindrance to getting hired in the first place. Also consider the fact that a professional pilot will normally need to work for several (or more) employers, including two airlines before reaching his "career destination"...you will have to fight this battle again and again every step of the way. I have seen major airlines post a requirement that applicants hold a "clean" first class medical with no SI's or restrictions other than corrective lenses.


That said, ADD is probably about the best you could hope for as far as SI's go. I think most folks understand that ADD may have been over-diagnosed over the last 15-20 years, and some normal but energetic kids might have been labelled.

Also in your favor is the fact that the recent trend has been for airlines to relax their medical requirements...many no longer do an exam, but simply take your FAA medical at face value. But some of the more desirable airlines tend to be pickier.

Your decision is tough. I would carefully consider some things...

- If you find yourself in an aviation dead-end, would you be willing (and able) to switch careers back to a desk job? Realize it might take ten years to figure out if this issue is going to haunt you.
- Are you currently affected by ADD? How severe was your condition? If there is any indication that you might require on-going treatment or drugs, that would be bad.
- Assuming that you are not currently afflicted, can you attempt to get the SI removed eventually? You would have to research this with the FAA and possibly an aviation medicine consultant.
- If you think you might have been over-diagnosed, could you get re-evaluated and get the diagnosis "reversed"?

Good Luck

Lori, what do you know about recent trends with SI medicals?

AAL763

Well, I'm in high school right now. I take my medication primarily for school. It helps me to concentrate on doing my homework. I am in no way dependant on it though. I am able to focus on anything if I really enjoy it and I really enjoy flying. I was considering getting my degree in Aviation Operations from St. Cloud State University and enrolling in the AT-CTI program assosciatied with that degree. I realize that their is a medical required for ATC, but I believe that if I get off my medication in college I would get the ATC medical. I would work as an ATC for a few years. During these years I would battle with the FAA trying to receive a pilots Class I medical. If that was granted I would try and get the SI taken off the medical. If I am then able to get an unrestricted medical, I would take the money I have saved and enroll in a program where I would earn all of my ratings and hours. Then I would try and get a job with an airline. I just hesitate to get a degree in flight if I'm not certain that I could get a job afterwards. Who knows, if I become an ATC, maybe I would just want to stay an ATC and fly in my spare time as a general aviation pilot. But my dream is to be a pilot for an airline and fly to all corners of the world. I'm not going to give up on my dream. I've devoted most of my life to flying and I don't want to just quit because of some stupid disease I have, in which people think I am uncapable of flying safely because of it.

N9373M

You may want to start by joining the Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association. I think it's $39/year and they do a jam up job on all things aviation - including medical advice. They are geared toward General Aviation. AOPA Online: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

There are some docs and companies that specialize in airline pilot medicals: a search of this forum should give you some leads on who is good and who is not.

Good Luck!

rickair7777

Don't get an aviation degree, they are useless and will not help you get a flying job. Pilot employers care only about experience (ie quality flight hours), not where you went to college or what you studied. If you ever think you might want to be a pilot, get a degree which provides a useful non-aviation skill...odds are very high that you will need it eventually. There are some other threads on these forums which discuss this in detail.

An ATC degree would be useful, but there are a couple limitations. The degree might get you in the door, but you still have to successfully complete operational training...not everyone does. Also ATC is not a field you can jump in and out of as a backup to flying...they have a low age cutoff, so if you are not in by that age you are out of luck.

Understood, but charging blindly ahead may result in long-term financial consequences. In your situation, you will need a fallback position. Sounds like ATC might work out for you. If you can eventually get the SI removed from your medical, then you can reasonably consider an airline career.

atpwannabe

If I had the chance to do it all over again and had some issues that may preclude me from the flight deck......ATC would definitely be the way that I'd go.


You've got plenty of time AAL763. I would advise you though that if you are seeking a career as a pilot, do not get a degree in aviation. On the other hand, if you are planning on making a career out of say Airport Management & Operations for example, and have a desire to become Director of Airports at a large hub facility, then I would say....yes....go ahead and get your degree in aviation. Starting salaries at medium size airports such as KPBI, KFLL and KMIA are in the low 40's for entry-level airport ops positions.



atp

jedinein

If possible, get off the drug. Learn coping strategies that will allow you to still succeed despite any obstacles in your path. The longer you are off the drug when you approach the medical, the easier the process will be.
Check the forums on jetcareers.com for their "Ask the AME" section. The good doc there can probably provide you with a path to get off the drug and be ready to tackle the FAA once you graduate.

AAL763

Thanks for all the advice guys. I appreciate it.