Three Barriers From My Dream Job
02-23-2009, 02:02 PM
#1
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Three Barriers From My Dream Job
Hello, I am a college freshman and like many here, I have aspired to be a pilot for quite some time. (almost ten years) I flew a plane before I ever drove a car and hoped to obtain to my PPL around my 17th birthday. However, before I could get serious about my training (i.e. getting a a 3rd class medical) I quickly found out the FAA has a lot of restrictions on medication. Which consists of two of my three barriers.
-At the young age of ten (the same age I got Flight Simulator 98 and decided I wanted to be an airline pilot) I was diagnosed with ADD. My grades were terrible at that time but after a few years and trying different medication my grades began to improve significantly, and by high school I was improving so much my doctor was hesitant to take me off and as a result I was on medication for years (I just stopped taking them a few months ago)
-A few years after my ADD diagnosis I was diagnosed with depression. Now I will admit I was probably another overdiagnosed kid with ADD. But depression was very real, and obviously was on medication for years. I went to hell and back, and I have been completely mentally healthy for about three years. It really did just dissipate and again, I have fully recovered.
-And last but certainly not least. When I was 17 I got in trouble with my school with marijuana, I did not get in trouble with the law, and never have, not even a parking ticket. But as my private school was quite strict, they ordered me to see a drug counselor for three sessions in order to graduate. I suppose you could consider this a mild outpatient rehab.
So my question to everyone is, is it worth my time, and money to pursue a career as an airline, or corporate pilot? What is unfortunate about this is not only am I over all of these barriers, I have made honor roll every semester of high school and college, as of now, and have extensively studied how to fly and operate commercial aircraft and have become quite proficient at it too. And even more unfortunate is I feel a future in aviation had really kept me in line. (I know I got in trouble, and maybe to some here that is a big deal, but I really could have gotten into a lot more trouble if I was more apathetic) So give it to me straight.
Thank you,
-Matt
-At the young age of ten (the same age I got Flight Simulator 98 and decided I wanted to be an airline pilot) I was diagnosed with ADD. My grades were terrible at that time but after a few years and trying different medication my grades began to improve significantly, and by high school I was improving so much my doctor was hesitant to take me off and as a result I was on medication for years (I just stopped taking them a few months ago)
-A few years after my ADD diagnosis I was diagnosed with depression. Now I will admit I was probably another overdiagnosed kid with ADD. But depression was very real, and obviously was on medication for years. I went to hell and back, and I have been completely mentally healthy for about three years. It really did just dissipate and again, I have fully recovered.
-And last but certainly not least. When I was 17 I got in trouble with my school with marijuana, I did not get in trouble with the law, and never have, not even a parking ticket. But as my private school was quite strict, they ordered me to see a drug counselor for three sessions in order to graduate. I suppose you could consider this a mild outpatient rehab.
So my question to everyone is, is it worth my time, and money to pursue a career as an airline, or corporate pilot? What is unfortunate about this is not only am I over all of these barriers, I have made honor roll every semester of high school and college, as of now, and have extensively studied how to fly and operate commercial aircraft and have become quite proficient at it too. And even more unfortunate is I feel a future in aviation had really kept me in line. (I know I got in trouble, and maybe to some here that is a big deal, but I really could have gotten into a lot more trouble if I was more apathetic) So give it to me straight.
Thank you,
-Matt
02-23-2009, 03:31 PM
#2
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Posts: 39,293
ADD: This one probably has more potential for trouble than the others. Look in the Pilot Health forum, there are several discussions about ADD. You will probably have a battle to fight with the FAA, but once you prevail you should have clear sailing ahead, since ADD is primarily an issue with kids and teenagers.
Depression: This is common in the population as a whole, so it is common among pilots as well. The key is that you cannot hold a medical while taking any medications, and there is a waiting period after you finish meds (used to be six months, not sure what it is today). You must also be able to function normally without the meds...basically a past history of depression is not an issue with the FAA, as long as you do not have an ongoing problem (sounds like you don't). You will have to provide a letter from your mental health care provider, talk to the AME for details.
Marijuana: Since you got treatment, I think you will have to report it to the FAA (read the medical application form online). The good news is that nobody really thinks pot is particularly addictive, so as long as you are drug free now it should not be a medical certification problem. Since no law enforcement was ever involved, it should not be an issue for employers (you probably don't even have to tell them).
The pot and depression issues sound straightforward, I think you could work with the AME directly on those. But you may want to talk to an aviation medical consultant about the ADD before you talk to the AME...there may be some pitfalls with that. I have used this service, and there are others out there:
http://www.aviationmedicine.com/
Also be aware that in the past it was common for major airlines to perform extensive medical exams on applicants, with standards far higher than the FAA. The good news is that many major airlines (and all regionals) will now accept just an a first class FAA medical, and will not get more invasive than that. But there may be a few majors which would still reject you, but there's no way to know for sure until you get to that point.
Good Luck
Depression: This is common in the population as a whole, so it is common among pilots as well. The key is that you cannot hold a medical while taking any medications, and there is a waiting period after you finish meds (used to be six months, not sure what it is today). You must also be able to function normally without the meds...basically a past history of depression is not an issue with the FAA, as long as you do not have an ongoing problem (sounds like you don't). You will have to provide a letter from your mental health care provider, talk to the AME for details.
Marijuana: Since you got treatment, I think you will have to report it to the FAA (read the medical application form online). The good news is that nobody really thinks pot is particularly addictive, so as long as you are drug free now it should not be a medical certification problem. Since no law enforcement was ever involved, it should not be an issue for employers (you probably don't even have to tell them).
The pot and depression issues sound straightforward, I think you could work with the AME directly on those. But you may want to talk to an aviation medical consultant about the ADD before you talk to the AME...there may be some pitfalls with that. I have used this service, and there are others out there:
http://www.aviationmedicine.com/
Also be aware that in the past it was common for major airlines to perform extensive medical exams on applicants, with standards far higher than the FAA. The good news is that many major airlines (and all regionals) will now accept just an a first class FAA medical, and will not get more invasive than that. But there may be a few majors which would still reject you, but there's no way to know for sure until you get to that point.
Good Luck
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