Class 1 Medical and Apps
 

Should you get a class 1 (possibly twice) before you get out of the military just so can check yes on an application? Or should you wait? Any special considerations for those stationed overseas? I know of one company that has an on-line application and will not allow you to send it in if you do not mark yes for class 1.

Like you just ran into, most companies require a current Class 1 to even apply. If you're mil overseas, ask the flight doc's office if there are any AME's on staff there. Otherwise you might have to get it the next time you are in the US. There are only two times it would matter if you have a curent one; when you apply and when you interview. If there is some time between the two, and it expires, get it renewed before you interview.

Medicals
 

Have the current medical to apply and most companies will require it to be current to interview. Some will require it to be current when you show up for the first day. Some require a Class 1 to be current (within 6 months) and some a Class 1 within the past year...depends on the individual company requirements. Some companies require a "company physical" to get hired. Others chose to eliminate the company physical and require the current FAA physical instead to save money. I'd take the FAA physical over the more detailed company physical any day.

Company Physical Requirment for Class 1?
 

That is a bit of a shock! Just who requires a company physical these days? Any Majors or Legacy airlines?

Been a While
 

Not sure about today since they haven't hired in a number of years, but both US Airways and Northwest required a company physical to get the job when I interviewed a number of years ago. It was part of the hiring process. Test, sim/interview, medical then hired. I'd believe it if you told me they got rid of the process in bankruptcy though.

I was told by my Flt Doc that AF docs aren't allowed to give Class 1 physicals. The AMEs limit the AF docs to Class 2 and below so they don't cut into the cash cow.

I've had several Class 2 physicals from AF docs but never a Class 1.

Razor

Yes, go ahead and get the Class 1 FAA medical. Believe me, if you can pass a flight physical (Navy for me), the FAA medical will be a complete joke. I've had docs that didn't even make me read a chart. They just asked if I'd been experiencing any problems with my vision...

Remember, the older you get, the harder it will be to get the INITIAL FAA Class 1... It's much easier to keep the one you have current... The initial medical requires the establishment of a baseline of health.

A "renewal" only needs to look at the past 6 months...;)

AA / AE still do.

Many others used to.

America West did not have one, so I assume the new US Airways will not either.

If you have a current/clean 1042, you can pass a Class 1...the first time you will have to prove it is when you interview. My suggestion is to apply and then get the Class 1 when you get the call for an interview (if you are in a location that it will be difficult to find a doc). In other words, click yes to get the app in the system.

Take this advice if you want, BUT realize the exact dates that you pass any FAA physical stays in the system for years. Do you want to explain saying you had a Class I when you did not? Probably not a good first impression when they are looking at your integrity as suspect.