I'm about as frustrated as I've ever been.

Oklahoma approved my medical and sent it to DC for final approval on May 1st. I've been calling about once a week, and they keep telling me, "any day now". I finally got the phone number to DC to check status with them, and they have never heard of me. Oklahoma never actually sent it over to them, and it's just been sitting for over 4 months now. Today, I verified with DC that it has been resent, and they will "fast track" it for me, and should have it done in a blistering 60-90 days. I'm sitting here waiting for my medical with a spot at an airline, watching my seniority drop every two weeks. This is beyond frustrating.

It's the government. Their priorities are...

1. Their pensions
2. Their jobs
3. Their bureaucracy
4. Public safety

If your needs don't align with that list, don't expect too much. Your congress-person might be able to apply pressure on #3.

Not bashing any of you feds personally, that's just the way the system works and it's hard (but not impossible) to avoid being a product of that system.

Bureaucracy Tip: If you can determine the name of the official whose signature you need, then you know who to call....not that person, but his or her secretary.

405-954-4821. Don't go through the prompts, but hit zero. Wait time average is 15 minutes.

Another way to check about approval is with the FAA Airman Inquiry website. I was waiting for my SI and was checking here daily. When it`s approved it will show here the day of approval. It was listed here 5 days before it arrived at my home. No long waits on the Aeromedical Division phone number.
https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/airmeninquiry/

My file was just sent in today so here starts 3-4 months of waiting but thank you for saving me 5 (ish) days!!!

It will save you lot`s of time waiting on hold for the Aeromedical Division who are nice people but will only tell you OKC has it. Mine took 65 days

One year wait so far to determine if I will get a special issuance. Due to the holidays, most decisions will be sent out of DC somewhere around the second or third week of January. Of course this may mean more testing, more money, and another several more months of waiting.

This all began two years ago. 26 grand in out of pocket expenses and tests. Loss of income, etc, etc.

Also verify that all of your reports have been electronically entered into the system. One of my reports took two tries, this of course took 9 months and two letters of denial.

Whats the number of that truck driving school again? Or welding school?

Happy waiting...

What’s the average wait time for alcohol abuse SIs?

Everything was submitted to OKC, and DC has everything as of last week. I had a favorable psychiatrist report.

Medical expires in March. Should I have something by then?

The standard answer is “Expect to hear something within a few weeks”, but it’s like predicting the waiting time at your local Motor Vehicle Office. A lot depends on how many are in line ahead of you.