It’s not untrue, it’s airline specific, but in the recent past it’s generally true. My airline pays LTD until 65 for all conditions except mental health reasons, which only pays 2 years. This was common (that generally mental health wasn’t covered as long) when we signed our CBA 6 years ago. Maybe things have changed in the new CBA’s. Mine hasn’t yet.

If you start addressing the issue, then legally you’re supposed to let your AME know. This generally isn’t a problem, which I agree with you on. UNTIL you start to get into the grey areas. There is going to be a point where medical professionals, AME’s, and the FAA don’t all agree where the line has to be drawn on whether you qualify or you don’t for a 1C medical. This has been an ongoing matter, and the FAA has become more lenient, but there will always be a new limit where the edges aren’t crystal clear.

 

FAA mental health rules are under scrutiny after off-duty pilot tried to cut engines

https://www.npr.org/2023/11/03/12105...ied-to-cut-eng

US NTSB to hold pilot mental health forum in December

https://www.flightglobal.com/safety/...155654.article

 

Good they need to, but until they can force insurance companies to pay up for lost wages, there is NO way anyone can just not work for a few years. They need to remove the financial penalty in order for any real progress to be made.

 

Rick, you strike me as the kind of guy that if you saw a pilot reading a book on how to combat anxiety, you'd turn them in for not being able to exercise their medical.

Your opinion on this issue is exactly why pilots are so afraid of seeing therapists. You're the type who puts the fear in pilots that the only doc they see is their AME once or twice a year and that's it.

I strongly encourage you to delete your posts. Your type of thinking is not only dangerous, but toxic to our profession.

 

Unfair. The system has been, very much remains, don’t ask don’t tell. A poster above mentioned grey area. I agree. As grey areas go, bigger and murkier than most. Mods using mod status to leverage debate influence is a conflict obviously.

 

??? You are going off WAY half-cocked here, go read all my posts again, carefully and pay attention. You're completely mischaracterizing my attitude. I advocated FOR doing your own research and trying self-help, if possible. If that doesn't work, or you're in dire straits, absolutely get professional help. Go to the ER or call 9/11 if you need to.

I'm also pointing out that the system is unforgiving. I have zero input or impact on the "the system" or official attitudes. I'm just telling you how it is, I would like to see it improved, but nothing I personally can do about that.

This isn't like beards and man-buns... old school attitudes amongst pilots aren't holding back progress. This is 100% on .gov bureaucrats (the ones in question might be MD's but few are actually pilots). Until they change, I'll still advise that you be careful and try to strike a balance.

Many "normal" people who hit a rough spot can deal with it themselves once they understand what's going on, and make some changes. If you still live in Mom's basement, then sure run to a therapist, take some LTD, and wait a year or three for OKC to get back to you. But other people have financial obligations and families to care for.



There are of course some folks who simply have a chronic condition who will need ongoing professional treatment and usually meds. A handful of those are legally flying today, so that's some progress... ten years ago the number was zero.

 

ah, Rick making fun of beards and man buns. Now I know why TSA has increased the number of randoms at KCM. Thanks a lot dude.

 

Maybe a cup of coffee at bedtime?

https://www.newsnationnow.com/health...ressant-study/

 

I see you are going off the rails again. You should hop into the Southwest forum and start telling everyone to lower the standards on an expected contract, should help calm you down.

 

Rick absolutely has a logical argument based on the system. I just think he’s a bit out dated on the progress made. You don’t need to report talk therapy according to the FAA. It’s in black and white. Talking to a neutral third party is healthy and can nip most aggravated mental health issues in the butt.

Medication is a separate argument. It’s a solution that can be life and career saving, but it’s further down the pipe and applies to very few.

Maybe a balance is to be upfront with the counselor about your concerns about how things said could affect your career. Feelings of “stressed out, can’t sleep, feeling distressed” by life’s triggers is not anxiety or depression. Even if reasons are unknown they can help you.

I recommend staying off google or webmd as they are algorithms of confirmation bias and feed on fear.