Thanks man -- never meant to imply this was the worst thing that could happen to a pilot. Daunting enough, though!!

First I would like to say I am happy to hear you survived and have a good prognosis.

I would call the specialist and ask if/why he can expedite your medical.

If you are satisfied with the answer, it will be the best $300 you ever spent.

Not meant to insult you, but this yours is the perfect example of why all pilots need disability insurance.

Thanks! Funny, I have tried contacting him via email and phone/voicemail. No dice. I'm told he's retired from regular practice and now only does Aeromedical stuff. I'm starting to wonder if he's completely retired from all of it, now.

$300 -- I would happily pay 5x that amount to make all this go away and just get back to normal.


No worries -- none taken. I agree with you. Fact is, never in a million years did I even realize that a pilot could conceivably bump his head on a shortened doorway, be fine otherwise, but lose his Medical for 2 or more years as a result. And, yeah, at age 33 I figured the chances of heart attack/stroke/aneuyrsm type stuff was millions to one.

A lengthy loss of a Medical can happen to even the youngest and healthiest of pilots.

Starscream,

I am in the same boat as you with AMAS. My case is not quite as serious as yours but serious enough. AMAS told me that due to the sequester cuts the FEDS are not firing on all cylinders these days and to expect delays.

I was also told from several folks about M. R. and her connections. I finally called her and low and behold she personally contacted two AME's for me and smoothed the way. I am flying to see one of them next week who has looked at all my medical records and has been able to get permission from Medical Standards in OKC to pass me. Flying down next week to see the man and end this nightmare.

If I were you, trust M. R. She has been fantastic to me and will do whatever she can for you. Ask her if she is willing to give the Docs a call for you?

No slight on AMAS, they do a fine job but there are alternatives and shortcuts that M. R. knows about that may shorten the time frame involved.

Good luck to you!

PS: Even if it should take the full 2yrs+ that AMAS is telling you, there is a good chance this time that the hiring will still be around, so not all will be lost. Getting current again will suck but there are places where you can buy yourself a type rating in a 73 for less than $8000 which will do the trick. Hang in there. :)

I'm not sure AMAS vs the AME, but the sequestration has seriously slowed the time it takes the FAA to process the paperwork by threefold. So be ready for that. FWIW.

Dr. Bruce Chien Bruce B Chien CFIA-I-MEI-ATP - Home is extremely capable, on difficult recertification's, as another poster said!

If you are spinning your wheels with the Tulsa people, and your union efforts are futile, check out Dr. Bruce?

I know for a fact, that he has helped, many, many FAR 121 folks get back in the cockpit, when the situation allows, like yours apparently will!

He knows how to make the system work (even with the sequestration stuff), and has the right contacts at FAA Aero Medical in OKC, once all your papers and exams are in order.

Good luck.


Jabr800
Retired 121 Guy
Been there, Done that !!!

Yup, I've been told expect the same. Whenever they do get around to submitting my stuff, they say expect 2 months for a decision.

Well I finally got in touch with Dr. Hastings last week -- and thankfully, he would be able to work on my behalf in conjunction with AMAS. He says he works with them all the time, so that's a relief that I don't have to make that choice. He is a lot more optimistic about how long I'll have to wait for my medical, so that's at least a little encouraging.

Glad you're on your way to having this nightmare end!! I do actually have bad dreams about the situation just about every night. The most frequent dream I have is that I'm going to work, signing in for a trip, and everything is normal. At this point I'm just itching for a decision, but I think it's very generous to say that it's going to be at least another month until AMAS has all the i's dotted and t's crossed with the paperwork for them to finally submit to the FAA. 2 months after that and it'll likely be this fall at the earliest till I get a decision.

AMAS has been very, very thorough, I must say. Every mainline pilot that I've spoken with has spoken very very highly about MR, so I take her advice very seriously.

I just worry about getting on at the end of a hiring wave, and having to deal with the consequences that this brings. AA is recalling pilots now that have been on furlough nearly 12 years. The difference between a DOH of 1999 vs. 2001 is enermous -- and that's 2 years right there. That's what freaks me out the most.

I saved myself a big ''furlough'' fund, but it looks like that will all be gone by the time this is overwith thanks to my medical bills. I highly doubt I'll even be able to afford a flying lesson in a C-172, let alone a type rating!