What does "in review" mean

1anG

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1anG
I have applied for a special issuance third class medical due to an alcohol issue. I did all that was asked of me starting back in November 2018 with no positive tests in that time period.

my physical was performed in July and all accompanying paperwork was sent to the Faa on July 23. I was originally told it would take 6 to 8 weeks to hear a response. I waited that. And then called the AME to find out any updates. I was told after my second call two weeks after the first initial eight weeks that my file was "in review" since then I was told to call back every two weeks and each time I get the same answer that it is "in review".

It’s now been 14 weeks and I’ve called again with the same answer of "in review"

I was specifically told by the AME not to call the Faa directly.

so my question is what does "in review" even mean and how long does it usually take to get a special issuance Medical.

Also I was warned that it might have to go to Washington currently it is in Oklahoma City.
 
I did all that was asked of me starting back in November 2018 with no positive tests in that time period.
In addition to the FAA, we have a temporal anomaly as well ....
 
Why isn't the AME making these calls and/or being more involved with your case? If he is really worth his shingle, he should be willing to do more "pilot advocate" on your behalf....
 
This is why offloading some of the medical cases to BasicMed is also a good thing for the medical system. But they're still backlogged.

Call every other federal business day and you'll be noted as a concerned pilot. This will elevate your priority slightly. Otherwise, you're just waiting.
 
This is why offloading some of the medical cases to BasicMed is also a good thing for the medical system. But they're still backlogged.

Call every other federal business day and you'll be noted as a concerned pilot. This will elevate your priority slightly. Otherwise, you're just waiting.
the work queue for nonrev. Alcohol is up to 220 days, currently....
 
Why, exactly, can’t you call the FAA directly? I called them regularly when I had to jump through hoops about some meds I had in my history. They were always very nice and accommodating. Never asked not to call. Or “who are you? Why isn’t your AME calling?”
 
Yes, I've found the front line phone people in OKC and at the RFS to be very pleasant dealing with pilots (at least when you are pleasant with them). They might not be able to do anything, but they often can give you what they know (whether you are still in the queue or if it is sitting on someones desk now, etc...). I just got a nice email from them apologizing for the delay in a records request I made last June (amusingly, the day after I sent in my inquiry, the package arrived, we crossed in the ether).
 
Why do I have the feeling it sits in someone's in box while that federal employee spends a lot of time in the break room?
 
Why isn't the AME making these calls and/or being more involved with your case? If he is really worth his shingle, he should be willing to do more "pilot advocate" on your behalf....

Wish I knew, I want to talk to the AME directly and ask questions. But then he charges me for a phone consultation. I wish I could change AME but at this point it's too far in the process.
 
the work queue for nonrev. Alcohol is up to 220 days, currently....

I'm guess in non rev you mean a non commercial pilot.

Also how does it work if the wait time is 220 days. Then my medical will expire by the time I get it considering it will have the issued date as the day I took my physical.
 
Why, exactly, can’t you call the FAA directly? I called them regularly when I had to jump through hoops about some meds I had in my history. They were always very nice and accommodating. Never asked not to call. Or “who are you? Why isn’t your AME calling?”

I'm not sure as to why. But I do recall when I started the process back before November he specifically told me to never call the FAA directly. Im not sure to his reasonings.
 
Why do I have the feeling it sits in someone's in box while that federal employee spends a lot of time in the break room?

Well I figured sitting in the box is in queue but in review I thought meant they are actively working on it. But if that's the case why would it take 6 weeks if I have done everything correctly. This "in review" things is wats confusing me. Is that supposed to be uplifting or just generic bs
 
I'm not sure as to why. But I do recall when I started the process back before November he specifically told me to never call the FAA directly. Im not sure to his reasonings.
Call them... Ask them what is the status of your application and an estimated time to get at response... Just don't add any information that they don't already have...
 
Wish I knew, I want to talk to the AME directly and ask questions. But then he charges me for a phone consultation. I wish I could change AME but at this point it's too far in the process.
I know Doctors Lou and Bruce are very friendly and are willing to help where they can...

It might be worth sending an email to them to start a conversation about what (if anything) they can do for you.
 
I know Doctors Lou and Bruce are very friendly and are willing to help where they can...

It might be worth sending an email to them to start a conversation about what (if anything) they can do for you.
The ONLY reason I can think of for an airman to NOT call the call center, isif he knows his package is NOT complete and he us about to get what’s missing, submitted.....

Something here isn’t right and I can’t dope it out from here....
 
Wish I knew, I want to talk to the AME directly and ask questions. But then he charges me for a phone consultation. I wish I could change AME but at this point it's too far in the process.

Is it possible that this is why he doesn't want you calling directly? Because then he'll lose out on a phone consult?
 
Follow up:

Still "in review" which I found out means absolutely nothing. So that problem solved.....
When they say in review it means your file are now in a stack with many others and hasn't even been cracked open.

More info: FAA staff shortages, shocker but in relation to my specific case 3rd class alcohol deferments used to have two doctors reviewing cases. One of the doctors left leaving one Dr to review the current 250+ cases that are "in review". I was told that I am in the middle of those 250 files, so that just tells me I'm not first and not last......

What was supposed to take 6-8 weeks is now in week 16. No information or estimate on my case at all.

It's disheartening........ That's for sure.
 
the work queue for nonrev. Alcohol is up to 220 days, currently....
Not surprised. I finally got my OSA SI letter a couple weeks ago. And that was a cut and dry case that took OKC 5 months to get around to.

I called them back in September just to see if there was a problem and got the ‘call us back in 2 weeks’ thing.
 
Why, exactly, can’t you call the FAA directly? I called them regularly when I had to jump through hoops about some meds I had in my history. They were always very nice and accommodating. Never asked not to call. Or “who are you? Why isn’t your AME calling?”

You CAN call....well you can try. 75% of the tine you get ‘all operators are busy, call again at another time’.

When you do get through to an actual human, they just tell you they have a backlog and call back in 2 weeks.
 
You CAN call....well you can try. 75% of the tine you get ‘all operators are busy, call again at another time’.

When you do get through to an actual human, they just tell you they have a backlog and call back in 2 weeks.

I guess the planets were all lined up when I called them... Got an answer to my question the two or three times I had to call them... Don't remember having listening to elevator musaak, either...
 
what number are you calling to inquire about your status?

Depending on what ur Issue is there are different numbers I attached the contact numbers below.

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Non revenue, class 1, alcohol case in DC... I’m on day 155 and nothing yet. Anyone else out there still waiting on a decision?
 
Too bad they’re careful with handling old politicians these days... If they tossed them in the same non-rev queue as us, we’d see an update to the PBOR which would state you are automatically issued if the Feds can’t process within X days.

Lot of CCW laws written that way. Keeps the government moving.
 
Too bad they’re careful with handling old politicians these days... If they tossed them in the same non-rev queue as us, we’d see an update to the PBOR which would state you are automatically issued if the Feds can’t process within X days.

Lot of CCW laws written that way. Keeps the government moving.
AMEN!!!
 
lbfjrmd said:
~ 6 months usual wait. I saw the main dudes (errr ... doctors) in Dallas last week so i know they are real ... and working!
It was good to see you there, Lou. My recent experience: 6 months in DC vs 220 days (+35 more for shutdown) for class 3 psychiatry review....
 
What is the wait time for class 1 revenue airman decision?

Well, I noticed the FAA pilot registry updated my new First Class Medical Last Friday. That was 11 weeks on the day. Still waiting for paper copy. Not sure how long that takes.

best
Inverted Flyer
 
Revenue airman here, waiting for a response from the FAA for a 1st class (probably special issuance). Been on med leave with the airline since September last year and after doing a couple neuropsychology/psychiatrist evaluations for a previous adjustment disorder diagnosis, a report was sent to the FAA by my HIMS AME in late November. Because of the government shutdown, it didnt reach the Federal Air Surgeon's office until January 29 and heard nothing since....

Also had my congressman send an inquiry, but their only response from them was that they are trying to work through the backlogs and that they would update me ASAP. That was a month ago now.... Not sure how much longer or what I can do now.
 
That was a month ago now.... Not sure how much longer or what I can do now.
Where is your HIMS AME in all of this from an airman advocate perspective?

Could/should s/he be making some inquiries that get things flowing again?
 
I sent mine back in October and it’s in D.C. I’m not sure though when they will be able to respond. I’m guessing 180 days + 35 days for the shutdown is what it takes....
 
Where is your HIMS AME in all of this from an airman advocate perspective?

Could/should s/he be making some inquiries that get things flowing again?

I have asked him multiple times to have him call them up, but he called him once to get some more information last year on what paperwork was needed by them. I last saw my AME two months ago, but he basically just said that they are unpredictable especially after the shutdown and that I should do another job in the mean time.

I think I pretty much exhausted all my options of who to talk to. OKC just says its in review and they'll flag it every time, the response from the congressional inquiry states that theyre working through backlogs. I was able to briefly talk to an individual at the DC office, but he also said that they are just working through backlogs and that the doctor assigned to my case has not seen it yet.
 
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