Is a "Special Issuance" a barrier to hiring?
 

I'm a military pilot approaching retirement. As I get my ducks in a row for a transition to the airlines, I'm concerned about the FAA Class 1 Medical. I have a long term condition that is well controlled with medication that will require a special issuance. Will having a special issuance be an problem in the hiring/interview process? I know some airlines still do a physical -- will an otherwise healthy person be rejected because of a condition that requires long term medications?

Not going to say any names but i asked this question to a former hr rep for one of the merged airlines....they don't care as long as it is a first class! Fwiw!

Sorry for the double post. The first attempt resulted in a "cannot open page" screen, but it appears to have worked anyway. My apologies!

gr8pe ape -- that's what I've heard from a few of my bros, but I figured I'd cast a wider net before I commit time and money to the venture. Thanks for the info.

I can't comment on the hiring part, but as a Line Check Airman at Delta, I can tell you that about 30% of the medicals I checked had a special issuance. Just be sure to take/carry the letter from the FAA with you at all times. Your medical is not valid without the letter. Good Luck

I have a special issuance for blood pressure. Never been a problem.

Any of you guys have a special issuance for asthma?

No longer required to carry SIA
 

Max, perhaps the requirement to carry the SIA is still a Delta requirement, but FAR 67.401(j) which required "This Authorization must be carried at all times while exercising the privileges of your pilot's license, either on your person or readily available in the aircraft" was removed effective July 20, 2012.

Consistent with this change, my SIA dated Jan. 2012 contained this provision, while the same SIA dated Jan. 2013 does not require it be carried.

From what I read in 67.401, this applies to all SIA issuances.

I stand corrected. I retired on August 1 2012, so wasn't aware of the change for the better. The issues that arose were the pilot didn't want his medical condition known to others. Our policy was to see the letter but not read it.

There's no problem KEEPING your job with an SI, but in the past some majors (go far enough back, and it was "all majors") probably wouldn't hire you with an SI.

Airline hiring attitudes and policies regarding medical/physical conditions have trended towards liberal over the past decade, so I would think that an SI for a minor, stable condition would not be a barrier at most majors.

But the best thing to do would be to seek out some gouge about the specific companies you're interested in. Can anyone chime-in with recent info (pre-9/11 is ancient history)?

Yes, they have along with most Part 91 & 135 operations as well. I for one am truly grateful.



atp

FAA letter
 

I'm a Navy Hornet pilot, and as a new guy, my Flight Surgeon found an abnormality on my EKG. I was issued a waiver by the Navy and have had no issues in over 22 years. In getting my medical issued a number of years ago in prep for my ATP, I had to check yes to the Heart or Vascular trouble question on the FAA 8500. My AME talked to the FAA who issued a letter establishing my eligibility for a 1st class medical. The letter says nothing about special issuance, and my medical says no limitations. So is this a special issuance, or something else? Should this create any cause for concern as a potential new hire?

No on both counts!

What confused me at times is that some airlines will say that they are "Equal Opportunity Employers" but then they have qualifications that list having 20/20 distant and 20/40 near vision or better in each eye.

In my case I have a waiver for not having 20/20 in 1 eye and it cannot be fully correct. Does this mean that they airline wouldn't consider me at all or are these things treated as a case by case basis?

The only time they will know about this condition is from the company medical exams that some airlines have you do after an interview or even being hired since my medical only has the limitation that I must wear glasses...