md11phlyer

Exactly. This post should end the discussion.

Jetjok

Retired. No. Out on medical disability, after open heart surgery. Bidding back up. Maybe. As for the time away, I had to count the months and days to report my time away, and NO, I'm not in the least bit bitter. I was very lucky back in July, when I was brought back from the dead.

fedupbusdriver

JJ, will you get off of LTD before the bid closes?

Jetjok

No. The earliest I can even apply for reinstatement of my medical will be in March, which is 6 months from the date of "incident."

⌐ AV8OR WANNABE

Jetjok - is it possible to "come back" after an open heart surgery? I thought that once someone has a heart surgery a first or even a second class medical is not possible?

Good luck to you...

Jetjok

Yes, it is possible to "come back" after heart surgery. It's not a painless procedure to get a re-issuance of a first class, but it is doable. The FAA has a list of tests that must be performed on the applicant, at a minimum of 6 months past the surgery date. The first is a nuclear stress test, taken and recorded in a very specific order. Then an angiogram is required. Then both test results, along with every piece of paper that the hospital generated while the applicant was a patient (for the heart procedure) are all sent along to the FAA, where once every two months a board of doctors (I don't know if they're flight surgeons) meets to review all the submitted stuff. I'm told that if even one little bit of anything is not right or out of place, the request is denied.

The angiogram is a intrusive test where they open up a vein in your leg and fish a thin tube into the heart so that they can stick a camera in there to photograph what the blood flow looks like. They, of course are looking at the results of the heart surgery and to see that all the obstructions that were supposed to have been fixed, in fact, have. It's a good test, but it doesn't come without jeopardy, as major complications have occurred, up to and including death. As a side note, there's a better test, one that's not at all intrusive, that gives an even better prognosis of future heart health, but the FAA does not recognize it yet.

FreightDawgyDog

"Yes, it is possible to "come back" after heart surgery. It's not a painless procedure to get a re-issuance of a first class, but it is doable. The FAA has a list of tests that must be performed on the applicant, at a minimum of 6 months past the surgery date. The first is a nuclear stress test, taken and recorded in a very specific order. Then an angiogram is required. Then both test results, along with every piece of paper that the hospital generated while the applicant was a patient (for the heart procedure) are all sent along to the FAA, where once every two months a board of doctors (I don't know if they're flight surgeons) meets to review all the submitted stuff. I'm told that if even one little bit of anything is not right or out of place, the request is denied.

The angiogram is a intrusive test where they open up a vein in your leg and fish a thin tube into the heart so that they can stick a camera in there to photograph what the blood flow looks like. They, of course are looking at the results of the heart surgery and to see that all the obstructions that were supposed to have been fixed, in fact, have. It's a good test, but it doesn't come without jeopardy, as major complications have occurred, up to and including death. As a side note, there's a better test, one that's not at all intrusive, that gives an even better prognosis of future heart health, but the FAA does not recognize it yet."

Gadzooks JJ!! How long would such a process take and how long would you be willing to pursue it? What is the likelihood of you getting back even after all that? I am sure you have talked to some FAA doc that has given you the percentages right? Honestly, I am curious and not trying to pimp you. If you are willing to go through all that, to include trying to beat the Grim Reaper a second time, you must really want to be a Captain again. Again, not trying to pimp you but is it really worth all that? If so why? It can't just be about a few extra years towards retirement. Thanks in advance for your reply as I am really trying to figure out why guys want back so bad.

Jetjok

Getting dead took about 2 minutes. The heart operation took about 6 hours. The recovery took about a month and a half, all but 9 of those days were spent at home. The hanging around takes six months from the date of surgery. THEN, the stress test takes about 15 minutes, the angiogram takes about an hour. I've not talked to anyone from the FAA about the chances of my getting back on status, because all they can tell me is that "on average", bla, bla, bla. If you've not figured it out yet, I'm not average. As well, I look upon the tests I need to take as verification of the fact that the surgery was done to perfection, that the surgeon did his best, and because of that, I've got many more years of health before me. It's not about being a "Captain again", because I'd be going through this stuff, even if the age 60 thing never changed. I know you'll not believe this, but I've said it many times before, and I'll say it again: for me, it's not about the money. I love to fly. It's part of who I am. Sorry if you can't understand either of these emotions. Really sorry.

FreightDawgyDog

"I know you'll not believe this, but I've said it many times before, and I'll say it again: for me, it's not about the money. I love to fly. It's part of who I am. Sorry if you can't understand either of these emotions. Really sorry."

Obviously no apology is needed. I am trying to understand JJ which is why I asked. Thank you for your response and again I wish you a speedy recovery.

I know you may not admit it but somewhere deep down it has to irk you just a little to go through what you have had to go through and know there are others out there who are having a miracle recovery from their minor medical issues that appear to be aligned just perfectly with the closing of this new bid. Though I may not always agree with you JJ, I appreciate your candor and would much rather see you back than others who post here. Thanks again for your reply..

Jetjok

I've been on the phone with FH, about once a week and you can believe me or not, there's no miracle recovery going on there. He's been given orders by his orthopedist that require him to have his arm in a sling for 5 to 6 weeks. You can't shorten that for personal convenience. As well, after that he has to do some physical therapy, which is no fun whatsoever. If things work out right for him and he gets in on the current bid, I'm happy for him. Why would it "irk me" if the timing works out for him, but not me? It would be like getting mad at my neighbors because they won the Irish Sweepstakes. As Mr. Spock used to say: "that would be illogical."