LTD Question
 

Sorry if this has been covered, but couldn't find anything on it. I'm a fellow FDX pilot out on LTD for the last 18 months and finially got a diagnosis of ME/CFS with Fibromyalgia.
I was wondering if anyone has gone through the same thing and was able to get there medical back ??
I was told it's a long shot, just looking for some hope.....

Thanks.......

Call the guys at AMAS, they might be able to answer your question since they deal with all kinds of medical problems: https://www.aviationmedicine.com/con...national-alpa/

I've got a Navy squadron mate that is an AA 767 Captain. He lost his medical several years ago and is now back flying again.

I haven't asked what his "medical issue" was as I figured it was none of my business. He now claims to be a "get your medical certificate back" expert (he "might" volunteer for their union in that capacity?).

I would contact Harvey Watt and the other ALPA resources first. If you can't get an answer back from them send me a PM and I'll hook you up with him.

Good luck,

MM


:confused:

Thank you very much ! I have gone through ALPA and the FDX resources and will continue with that. Appreciate the reply.

Dr Stapanek, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, .....Occupational...something and Aerospace medicine

My experience with the ALPA resource was less than impressive.

I spoke with a Dr. Corrigan (ALPA in Denver?) several times. In the end of a long journey, she was right MUCH more often than she was wrong. I was very impressed.

It turned out that since we were Harvey Watt patients that there wasn't much for her to do but she was very good at forecasting how my story would proceed over the 3 year time period (the Harvey Watt doctors couldn't have been any further off base). In the end the Harvey Watt one of the HW docs sent me to see a specialist friend of his (in Tulsa) who said he couldn't possibly imagine what the HW docs were thinking?

While we're on the Harvey Watt story, I'm not sure I like being assigned to am AME who has never seen me (there doesn't appear to be a requirement for them to even speak to you?). My AA bud who claims to know the "ins and out" of the get your medical back world doesn't think much of them and neither does ALPA Benefits?

MM

The ALPA Aeromedical folks were very helpful getting me back to work after back surgery. The surgery went fine, but there was physical nerve damage from when my disc blew out and it took a long time to regain full strength and range of motion in one leg and ankle. Even after I was released by my doctors, it was another 3 months before the FAA got around to reviewing my paperwork and "pre-approving" me for a First Class Medical. It would have undoubtedly taken longer if ALMP Aeromedical hadn't kept in regular contact with the FAA to make sure my paperwork didn't stay at the bottom of the stack.

I finally got the "pre-approval" on a Thursday afternoon. I got the actual First Class from Dr. Bock the following morning and immediately faxed it over to Harvey Watt with a request that they approve my return to work asap. I was in requal class the following Monday.

After I'd been back at work for a little over a year, a completely different and unrelated medical issue arose. After resisting for several months, I finally accepted that I needed to start a certain medication, which is disqualifying in and of itself with no exceptions or waivers allowed. This time I knew there was nothing ALPA Aeromedical could do, so I chose not to tie up their limited resources tilting at windmills. Harvey Watt just said, "We don't need any further updates. Let us know when you retire." And that was that.

This thread isn't about the ALPA MEC LTD insurance, but I can say I was sure glad I had it. It has paid off in spades. A seemingly minor medical issue can suddenly ground an airline pilot, and it can happen to anyone, no matter how great a shape you think you're in. The further away from retirement you are, the more valuable this coverage can be.

Don't give up hope. I was out for something else, but was initially told I would never fly again, then 3 months later, "there is no defined path for you to get back to the cockpit." They (company doc/my doc/faa) figured out something that "may" work and after 14 months, I was back flying. It's not over until you give up or hit 65.
Good luck!

I completely agree with the value of disability insurance. One month I was fine and the next, I started down a medical diagnosis trail that has led me to my current situation of a possible career ending situation. I'm in my mid 40's and never imagined I would be here, but $hit happens.....
It took a while to deal with all the paperwork to get the coverage going, but after a lean year it has been a true lifesaver. I had the 12 month waiting period and up to age 65 options with the maxed Alpa ltd and I'm truly thankful for that...
Had close to 15 great years and if it's over it's over, but I will fight to get back and fly with the best group of folks out there. Enjoy .....