dera: As promised...not that I need your validation or anyone's for that matter...but to my point...I spoke with a representative from the Office of Aerospace Medicine in OKC on Wednesday. I've been cleared to reapply and was told that this process will follow the prescribed route of Special Issuance (SI). But, I knew that already. I've been part of the aviation community in one aspect or another since 1973., and am quite knowledgeable of what is required of me to accomplish my goals and see my aspirations of a flying career come to fruition. To be clear, crystal clear...as stated, I've been into aviation for years. I didn't just "get out here" week before last!
Duces.


atp

Time to help get this thread back on track.

I’m a long time reader, first time poster.

Brief history. I’ve been out since November for atrial flutter. Two ablations later with all testing and a massive paperwork saga complete.

I met with my AME on 17 July for the First Class deferral. AMAS submitted my paperwork today, 21 July.

I’ve been told anywhere from 30 days to 3 months. Quite the spread. ALPA said to call them after 30 days. They will be able to tell me where I fall on the queue. Call it 17 August.

I will update y’all then.

Doubtful you will be told “where you are in the que”. After 4 months I called OKC and asked. The answer was “ there is no que, or at least a way to identify where your case is along the path.” Took me almost a year for a simple heart stent.

Too true. There is no fixed time for processing a case. Your waiting time is not only dependent on the complexity, thoroughness of work up, and thoroughness of documentation of YOUR case, but of every case of that type submitted before you and even of cases of others with more political clout than you that were submitted after yours.

You're among experts, who do this for a living.

If you've been a part of the aviation community since 1973, that makes 50 years in aviation, so congratulations. It's hard to tell from your posting, but it sounds like you're still trying to get your first medical, and your username is "wannabe," indicating that after fifty years of effort, you're still trying. Admirable, but perhaps don't bang the "I've-got-fifty-years-of-industry-experience-and-know-what-it-takes-to-achieve-my-goals" drum so loudly. Certainly, everyone in the audience hopes you achieve them. Beating your chest while dressing down the professionals in the room, based on your expertise and experience falls somewhat flat when you're an expert at achieving your goals, but haven't achieved them in fifty years.

This certainly doesn't mean you can't. It does suggest a bit more humility in your approach. If you truly knew the path, you probably wouldn't have had drug-related law enforcement entanglements. Everyone makes mistakes, and you've alluded to some that kept you out for a long time; fair enough. When others tell you where the road lies, a more humble approach may be better than to snap back explaining that you know more about the road than anyone else. If indeed that were true, you wouldn't have to worry about what it takes to achieve your goals; you'd have already met them.

Aviation is a varied path with many ends and many roads. Congratulations on your approval to reapply, and good luck with the special issuance process.