I have been invited to interview at a few airlines but I am waiting on my special issuance medical to come. I have only been waiting a week or so.. My SAME says that I will definitely get it with my numbers (diabetes type 2, for those that know about it my A1c is 4.6) I have no side effects and the meds are FAA Approved. He said to expect it in about 6 weeks. My question is should I tell the airlines I am still waiting for it or just tell them I am interested and that I am not available to interview due to prior engagements.

Thanks
-Ride

Two comments...

Airlines generally require a valid first class medical to interview. If you show up without one, you will almost certainly be sent home, and probably never invited back. I wouldn't go without a medical, as well as currency, the specified minimum flight times, and all documentation. Much better to reschedule than show up unprepared.

Also, it used to be that diabetes which required insulin was totally disqualify for professional flying, and you could only get a third class medical with difficulty. Hopefully you have marginal blood sugar and not full-blown insulin dependent diabetes? Presumably your AME knows what he's doing.

Also, a special issuance first class might not be acceptable to some airlines. You didn't say if you were looking at regionals or majors, but you might want to read the fine print on the airline's requirements to make sure they don't specify a "clean" medical. Often they will not accept SI's or waivers. Regionals might be more flexible than majors.

Good Luck.

My question was whether to tell them that I am waiting on it or to just make up a reason why i can't make it.

I am type 2, non insulin dependent. I do qualify for a 1st SI. I am going to the regional’s. I have never seen an airline that said clean first class. Would this be straight forward in the requirements or something you would have to ask about?

Thanks

I would make up another excuse if possible...airlines are somewhat paranoid about medical issues.

It looks like you may be in luck with the SI, I looked at several major and regional web sites and they all just specify a 1st class. I know within the last couple years, several airlines required a "clean" 1st. class, but their ability to be more stringent than the FAA requirements is being slowly erroded by the legal system. You might want to ANONOMOUSLY call the airlines you're interested in and ask about the medical thing though.

Ideally a first class (with no questions asked) should be the standard.