sealandair

In addition, I'll have to see a psychiatrist once or twice for an eval. Not sure why they wouldn't allow a clinical psychologist to do it, since they're every bit as qualified. A psychologist just can't prescribe meds, you need an MD for that and a psychiatrist is a full fledged MD with psych training on top of it.

Yeah, this could get a lot more expensive than $2k, I was just quoting that as a fair base price for the overall service.

sealandair

I actually did this. There was a fs at the fsdo in my area, and was surprisingly candid and helpful. Went over some case outcomes of others who had been in my shoes (obviously omitting names, places, specifics), but I had a gut feeling the fs was pro-pilot and gave a few specifics of my case. Friendly but matter-of-fact, fs says "Ok now, what I highly recommend for a gentleman like you is...", and proceeded to talk about HIMS AMES and consulting services like AMAS. Automatic deferral at the AMEs office, but encouraged me to go for it based on my brief discussion of my progress and the fact I had continuously updated and documented doctor visits. Near the end of our call I asked with a little apprehension "So airlines aren't going to be worried about a guy who's been depressed and unemployed for awhile and taking meds?" Ther response: "Who cares? It's NONE of their business".


I would NOT recommend talking to the FAA as the first point of contact however. There's still plenty of stigma and outdated information that exists even within the FAA, and it's possible a phone discussion could turn into an interrogation, or they could decide to collect info about you. If I caught any of this vibe from the fs I spoke with, I'd have shortly thanked him/her for their time, and ended the discussion.


But the FAA wasn't my first point of contact anyway, and since everyone's case is different, I just wanted to reiterate that I was both prepared and lucky, but it's still not a course of action I'd recommend as the default one for everybody. At this point, I'm almost 100% sure I'll go with a consulting service like AMAS, and agree with the other posters this is the best option for most pilots with medical issues. The only exception I can think of is if someone is lucky enough to find an AME who is not only experienced with SIs, but also with the particular illness the pilot is reporting.

JohnBurke

You've stated this repeatedly throughout the thread: it's clear that you believe it, and it's clear that you think you know more than the physicians who oversee the program. Perhaps you really feel that there isn't a reason behind the medical standards. That is an unfortunate view to take. Do you feel this way based on your medical expertise, or your position as one who faces an uphill climb to meet those standards?

I ask rhetorically, as it makes little difference.

The regulation, and the standards are written in blood. Whether you understand what this means or not is also largely unimportant, though it may behoove you to come to accept that there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

sealandair

No, I have not "repeatedly stated" it, in fact this is the first time I mentioned anything about stigma. You critiqued my reading comprehension in a previous post, could you specify where it's clear that I know more than physicians who oversee the program? Which physicians and which program? I have no medical expertise...none... but I do feel I'm informed progressively about my condition and also some of the specific hoops I will have to go through. Stigma in regards to mental illness is a fact, not an opinion or a belief. Others here have known people with similar cases and we're all here to share what we're willing to. Please don't put thoughts or words in my mouth I neither said or implied, thank you. Your last paragraph sounds more of an irritable rant, nor is it correct.

JohnBurke

You've talked about it repeatedly. Post 11, for example:

Or post 17:

Or post 30:

Or of course, post 42, where you said it again. So yes, repeatedly.

You have a real 'the-FAA-is antiquated-and-outdated-and-doesn't-know-what-they're-talking-about' vibe going on here. You've stated it REPEATEDLY. You really seem to think that you know more than the FAA; this is central to your commentary. You need to lose that. You continue to post as though the FAA's misunderstanding, it's failure to know as much as you, is a hoop to be jumped through, and nothing more.

The standards exist for a reason, are neither antiquated nor rendered irrelevant by modern understanding. Not even yours.

You may note that the FAA uses external psychologists to perform an evaluation, and then uses the report and recommendation of that psychologist when considering each case. By necessity, your case must be considered on it's own merits, and will be.

I quoted you. Go figure.

sealandair

I disagree that making criticisms of the FAA are central to my commentary. I think you're misinterpreting what I say as having an irresponsible and deviant attitude towards the FAA and perhaps flying safety, and my bet is with authority in general. You would be wrong to think that way, as I've never had any issues with the FAA, the law, or in my career, other than a single failed checkride for a GPS approach (which interestingly enough the POI placed partial blame on the training department for). I've always taken flying seriously, and hopefully my efforts to return honestly rather than try to cover it reflect that.

That being said, some of the FAAs procedures are outdated and obsolete, which is important for people to know. I'm not talking about circumventing the FAA at all. If my lowly help-from-experience advice is insufficient for you, here's an opinion from an FAA Senior AME:

https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/...and-depression

I still don't know where you're getting the idea that I think I know more than doctors and now the FAA, this just isn't true. Unless you're a doc or the latter, is it possible I might know a few more details about cases like mine than you?

"You may note that the FAA uses external psychologists to perform an evaluation, and then uses the report and recommendation of that psychologist......"

Thank you for that. Yes, they will use reports from my psychologist. Did you know that they will also require a board-certified psychiatrist visit (at least one) and use his/her report in the case file too? I brought up psychiatrists and psychologists in a previous post, which you must have counted, since some people don't know what the difference is, and it's critical to know for any other airman going through this.

As I feel this is turning into an argument and that's not what I'm here to do, I think I'll let you vent if you wish, come back in awhile and see if anyone else chips in with questions or advice. I've gotten some great ones so far.

JohnBurke

And with that, I'll put you on the ignore list. As it is, I have a great deal to say about depression and the FAA, but based on your commentary, you're not ready to receive it. Best of luck in your endeavor. You ma need it.

METO Guido

That's correct. But the topic is highly personal and a vulnerability to safe practice many don't want to see publicized. HIMS returns somewhere north of 100 medicals to pilots in the program each year. Depression is a widely accepted, primary driver of substance use. As is severe anxiety, ADHD, fallout from abusive relationships, chronic chemical effects of rising tolerance or early addiction. There are more obviously, combinations, variants within category. Nobody here really disputes the treatment/enforcement terms, IMO. Just another (safety sensitive employee) take it or leave it to accept and steer the fook clear of.

CFI2766

Sealandair,

Don’t let some of these other hotheads get to you. Some proclaim themselves as know-it-alls and feel they need to act condescending as if they are somehow a higher being. They forget this forum is for helping others, not condemning those seeking help for their own amusement. Unfortunately there are plenty of these types in this career, the trick is to not GAF, ignore or say, “ok boomer”.

Btw I think you will be fine and if they need more info for your certification they will tell you. It may take some time but stick to it. Best luck

Excargodog

https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/avia...olume_57-1.pdf

An excerpt:

in 2020 there were ~692,000 individuals actively flying

https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/fi...men-stats.xlsx