OzoneRanger

I've done a little browsing on this forum of other guys with amblyopia, but still given this is a somewhat unique problem I wanted to see what you guys thought.

So, a little about me. I have 20/15 vision in my right eye, no problems there. But I had a cataract in my left eye and underwent surgery when I was four to implant an artificial lens (basically what an old timer would do for the same problem). So my vision is just now at about 20/40 and it looks like I'll be able to get my 3rd Class free and clear.

Here's my question. I'm obviously going to need a SODA/waiver for my 2nd and 1st Class when I go for my Commercial and beyond. What's your experience on getting hired with a SODA on your file? Any thoughts on insurance etc. when I have "eye problems"?

My career aspiration ultimately would be with an ACMI/freight outfit if that helps.

busboy12

I have a soda for amblyopia and defective color vision with a first class medical. I flew for skywest, frontier airlines, and netjets with never a word about the two waivers. Most companies just require a first class medical. Some of the majors do their own medical and have stricter standards than first class. The only position that I did not get that I interviewed for was Cathay Pacific, I think the medical played a part but I don't know for sure. A lot of people have waivers, I would not let that alone hold you back. If you want to fly for a freight company, I think fedex does a pretty strict medical, but I'm not sure, World, Kallita, and Southern do not do medicals or have stricter than first class standards to my knowledge. If you go corporate,nobody will ask anything as long as you have a first class medical, some even accept second class depending on the operation. Good luck! I have had no regrets about coming into this career, even with all the hard knocks.

OzoneRanger

Thanks for the quick response! Glad to know that I'm not the only one.

Cheers

rotorhead1026

You're saying your vision is correctable to 20/40, or 20/40 uncorrected?

OzoneRanger

20/40 corrected, 20/150 uncorrected. To avoid making a short story long, I've been doing this eye therapy called "RevitalVision" that has taken my corrected vision from 20/60 down to 20/40 over the course of a few months. I have an appointment with my dad's AME in a few weeks.