MX727

Any experience or advise on which is better and faster for getting you medical back after a STD/LTD?

maddogmax

I had Achilles surgery in 2010. Alpa Aero was great. I sent them all my medical info and they only gave the FAA what was needed. They answered all my phone calls and responded immediately. They know all the FAA doctors and have a great relationship with them. They might even be in the same building. I only dealt with Harvey Watt concerning my status. I will say that once the FAA got all that they needed to issue my medical, it still took them 6 weeks to get it to me. Good Luck!

YYESIAV8

STD...been flying the Camp lately?

Sorry, my juvenile side could not resist.

Dr. Quay Snyder runs AMAS and you won't find a better team of medical specialist to assist you. While they are located in Denver you would almost think they have a direct line to Oak City and the FAA Docs. Plus, you've already paid for them with your ALPA dues.

HW's medical section is run by Dr. Warren Silberman, he used to be the head Doc for certification in Oak City. So their ties aren't bad either. Since they are the FDX medical provider your covered cost wise there too.

Either way I don't think you can go wrong, but if you do go with AMAS they will still have to coordinate with HW for your return to work letter.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

MX727

STD- I wish that it had been something that fun.

Thanks guys. I'd heard HW was slow and hadn't really considered ALPA until someone else mentioned it. I think I'm going to go with ALPA. I'll let you know how it goes.

DLax85

+1

....worked with him in 2005 --- great service & results!

MaydayMark

I'm sort of in the "same boat" right now. I've been working with 2 different Harvey Watt doctors (one located in ATL, another located in Ft. Worth). It bothers me a small amount that I've never actually had an office visit with a Harvey Watt doctor. I assume they have copies of all of my medical records?

Here's my .02 cents worth ...

In as much as the Harvey Watt docs are the Company Medical Advisors (they work for FedEx and get paid by FedEx), they seem to have the same legal department working for them (telling them what to say?).
Their medical correspondence looks like it's written by lawyers.

I'm probably 6 months from actually getting my medical back, I'll let you know how it works out.

I've spoken to ALPA Aeromedical on the phone several times ... if all else were equal, why not go with the ALPA docs so there's no conflict of interest between you and the company.

Interestingly, the ALPA doctors think I'll be out on LTD MUCH longer the than the Harvey Watt doctors.

MX727

Thanks MM. I spoke with Dr. Riccitello at ALPA today. Very responsive and he emailed me a package of documents to help me gather my records. I asked about the HW interface and he was confident that in cases like mine, HW just accepts the FAA letter that ALPA AMAS gets and forwards the recommendation of ready to return to work to FedEX.

My reasoning was along the same lines as yours, I pay the dues and it removes any chance of a conflict of interest.

Reddog

MX727- I went through a return to fly process about 8 months back myself. I used ALPA medical. My advice to you though is once you enter the envelope where an FAA response could come back, hound them at least weekly with phone calls. They say they will call the FAA weekly on your behalf but don't believe it. I actually called the FAA in OKC myself and found out I had been cleared the week prior. ALPA medical was clueless. I got a copy of the paperwork faxed directly from the FAA so I could get it to Harvey Watt. I had it all submitted to HW with my final clearance from the company when, 3 days later, ALPA medical called and said I had been cleared to fly and in a few days they would send the required FAA paperwork. So, be a strong advocate for yourself!

CloudSailor

Dr. Bob Sancetta in Boulder, Colorado.

He has done a phenomenal job for all Frontier, SkyWest, United and FedEx pilots whom I know he has worked with. The speed of his results when working with the FAA doctors is what guys appreciate the most. Give him a call and explain your situation.