Return from Disability
 

I searched and didn't find a thread that addresses this. Can someone who knows about returning from Long Term Disability help me with some questions? I'm just trying to plan for what to expect when I get my medical back...

1. How long from the time you got your medical back were you put in the sim? Any input on that timing? Did you get a fellow upgradee/sim partner, or a seat filler?

1B. Smooth process, or a pain in the backside?

2. I presume you were scheduled to do OE shortly after your sim-check?

2B. Is there a minimum number of hours for narrow-body OE, different than initial? (i.e. one trip, or two?) Did you get the full monty, like initial, or did the LCP assume you knew/remembered some of it?

2C. I think you get a reserve line your first month back - any input into that schedule?

2D. If you are inactive when vacations are bid in Jan, you get leftovers, right? And you have to rely on move-up bids?

3. What is the time cutoff (since your last landing) for being put in the short requal course vs. the full month? I'm on LTD. (i.e. If I have to go the full month again anyway, I might consider switching equipment)

4. I understand I will have to get refingerprinted, since it will have been over 6 months. Are there any other ancillary to-do's before starting back in the sim? My badge will expire early next year...

5. I still have a Surface 2, and I presume I will get a 3 only when I'm moved back to a category. However, since I am currently NBCSIC, all my manuals are gone from my Surface 2, so I can't study anything. Can someone give a quick short-course syllabus description? How many academic/sim days? I'm wondering how much time I will have and how much I'll need to study before hitting the sim again.

6. If I read the TA correctly, since I'm not currently active, I'm presuming the FAA leave doesn't apply/can't help me...

Anything I'm missing?

Thanks in advance!

I can't answer all the questions, but I'll answer what I can. I was out on short-term disability, but with sick leave it was a total of six months. Long term (depending on how long, but isn't that long if you have a Surface 2) might be different.

1) Three weeks or so to get back in the sim from when I told the doc I was ok. I had a straight-forward back surgery, so the Delta doc gave me the OK to return to work in a matter of hours. Don't expect that he will linger over your case. I had no input, but had about a week notice of the sim. When you're feeling better, start studying. I was scheduled for a "Special Equal". Essentially it was a two day CQ plus an extra day on the front end. The Captain I had was another guy going through Requal from another airplane.

1b. It went smooth, but not a lot of room for error or not knowing what you're doing. The flying does come back quickly though - I was off six months, got sick right after sim training. I had never flown the airplane (no OE) when I went to the special requal.

2b. The training section in the FOM (part 2) has the details, but it's hard to understand. Just call the Chief Pilot center and they'll send you to the right people.

2c. I got a reserve line, but they either ask you what days you want off, or give you weekends, I can't remember. You can move them around afterward with PCS.

2d. You get the leftovers, yes. But be aware, you aren't earning any vacation while out (LT might be different), so you might not have any vacation to bid.

3) I think if you are out less than 36 months you get a short course for re-training.

4) No idea.

5) There was no academic class in Atlanta. You have to complete the last 4 CQ disks, so you'll learn it there. But the study was really on your own.

6) No idea about FAA leave, depends if the TA passes and when they implement the FAA leave.

Give the Training Comm a call, they can give you a heads up on most of your questions. What base will you be going back to?

Back to Atlanta.

Also, anyone have any experience with the Director of Health Services (DHS) upon return? From what I can find, you have to contact them, and they may initiate a (short?) review to ensure your 1st Class Medical is good.

Thanks for the replies fellas.

Faulkner (DHS) good guy, not looking to turn you down, just wants to make sure its all correct.