surgery and 1st class medicals
 

I am an aspiring pilot about to begin instrument training. Although I have a lot of work to do to earn the appropriate ratings, I thought I would try to get this question answered.

I have had three shoulder surgeries...one open surgery on the left shoulder, an open surgery and an arthroscopic surgery on the right shoulder. I am an active and fit guy (cycling), but it looks like I will be needing a THIRD arthroscopic procedure on my right shoulder here in the next month to alleviate some pain issues.

Q: When I've earned all of my ratings and have reached the magic TT and multi hours, will a future employer look at my medical history (four shoulder surgeries) and think twice about hiring me? Do any of you feel that this may be an issue at all?

Thank you for your time and input,

Mike

The good news is that is that the FAA is very liberal about this sort of thing, they are really more concerned with issues which may cause sudden incapacitation...they realize that if your shoulder starts to hurt on an ILS to mins that you can ignore the pain and keep flying. You shouldn't have a problem getting a first class as long as your strength and ranege of motion are decent (don't need 100%).

In the past, many airlines (especially majors) have done aggressive physicals and held pilots applicants to higher-than-FAA standards. This has diminished somewhat, and an old injury is less of a concern than say risk factors for heart disease (cholesteral, high BP, obese, etc).

You should have no trouble getting a regional job, and while you might get rejected by a small minority of majors, there are plenty of others that I'm sure would be OK with it.

Thanks Rick

Range of motion and strength are very good in both shoulders, just don't know if I could win any bench press contests...

Thanks for the info, its reassuring.

I would hate to get to a hireable point in flying only to be told 'sorry too many surgeries.'

Questions
Q1: Do I have to disclose the fact that I've had multiple shoulder surgeries?

Q2: Do regional/major carriers perform a battery of physical tests on potential employees? (pull-ups, push-ups, vo2 max, etc)

Thanks,

Mike

Q1: To the FAA, yes otherwise you are committing a federal felony. To the airline, legally no...but if they find out later, you WILL be 100% fired. Airlines have a habit of finding things out. I've always disclosed EVERYTHING...I would rather not get hired in the first place than get hired, give up my seniority at my old job, start the new job THEN get fired. Now you're on the street with a termination for lying on your record. Time to find that flyer for the truck driving school...

Q2: No US airlines do physical fitness tests on pilot candidates (although Cathay Pacific and other foriegn carriers probably will). Flight attendents usually have to bend over and lift 40 pounds, but I don't recall ever doing that at a pilot interview.


Like I said before, a few majors might have a problem with the history, but I think the trend in the future is going towards just accepting a copy of your FAA medical...many carriers (including most regionals) do this now.

How will those majors find out? IF they do have a medical eval, it won't be until after your interview/offer.

You medical history follows you in the medical insurance world.

I've posted about this before...Many months back.

You can / should check your MIDB file (Medical information database) like you check your credit reports. They have a 1-800 number and you can call and request your records. Insurance companies established it to prevent fraud.

-LAFF

medical information privacy rights
 

http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs8-med.htm


-LAFF

MIB requests can be made as follows:
 

The MIB does not have a file on everyone. But if you have an MIB file, you will want to be sure it is correct. You can obtain a copy for free once a year by calling (866) 692-6901 (TTY for the hearing impaired (866) 346-3642) or by visiting the company's web site at www.mib.com/html/request_your_record.html.

-LAFF

Thanks for the info LAFF!

I will certainly check into it...:)