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So I would be posting this under my user name, pchase (that I created earlier this afternoon) but I didn't get an activation email, and I just have to "talk" about it because I'm losing it.
First; I know within the next 2-3 posts someone will say "Contact Dr. Bruce!" I've done that. I emailed him through the website tonight, and hope to hear from him next week before he leaves for vacation on the 29th (though I know his is surely busy and know I may not get a response from him until he returns).
I've always wanted to get my private pilot cert but always thought it was out of my reach. I flew with a friend of my grandfather's when I was little in his C150 and absolutely loved it. Grew up on MS Flight Simulator, actually trying to fly correctly, not just crashing into things. Recently I was talking to a friend that flies blackhawks and he said if I want to get it, just dive in, pay for lessons when I can afford it and eventually I'll get there, so I did. I went on a discovery flight Thursday, and am scheduled for my first lesson next Thursday. They gave me the medical info with a list of local AME's and I was on top of the world.
Then I started the 8500-8 and got to number 18... In October of 2011 I was arrested for DUI. I won't make any excuses, I won't moan about "I was good" any of that. Regardless of the circumstances, what my BAC was, what the law says, I knew I was wrong, plain and simple and I have since made major life changes (cut my "drinking buddies" out of my life, though I know it was not THEIR fault, but they were an excuse I gave to myself to drink). I won't lie and say I stopped drinking totally, however these days I rarely drink, and don't "go out drinking." Maybe a beer with dinner or a on a special occasion where I know I won't be driving (and no one else will be either... riding with a drunk driver is just as bad as being one!!!).
Now from what I've read, I would be ok right there... had I submitted to the BAC test. Yes I refused. It turned out to be a sound legal strategy, as the case was dropped, however it resulted in losing my license for 6 months, and then having it restricted for 6 more. This is where the issue comes in. I realize that means my medical will get a mandatory deferral to OKC and I'll have some legwork to do if I want this to happen. While I await the good doctor's advice I thought I might prostrate myself before the people of POA and see what y'all think.
NOW, there's more... like that wasn't enough. Before all that happened, in 2009 or 2010, I was prescribed citalopram (an SSRI) for a period of about 6 months. I had some major life events and have a tough go of it, but I got through it, and no longer needed the medication. In hindsight, I should have refused it altogether, but I work in a pharmacy, and we dispense TONS of SSRI's so I thought nothing of it. Well it seems the FAA isn't a big fan of those either. This wasn't even a concern of mine until I read the other SSRI threads below, tonight. The DUI was my biggest concern, but now I see people talking about $4000 for psych evals related to SSRI's and here I am working extra hours just to pay my lessons. Again, I know Dr. Chien is the definitive word in this area, especially, so I'm hoping he gets back to me soon and has good news (or at least not terrible news).
I know this was terribly long, and if you made it this far, thank you for your time. If you have anything to add please do, good or bad, I can only work with the truth. And if you think I'm a terrible person for the DUI, well I agree. I was terrible, and I hate what I did to myself, but it was a hard and expensive lesson that I learned, and I am just thankful that I learned it that way and not wrapped around a tree, or worse having killed an innocent person. I know it goes without saying around here, but JUST DON'T DO IT! Get a cab, or get a friend that doesn't drink to drive you. Better yet, go hang out with that friend that doesn't drink and do something ELSE!! If he doesn't drink, he likely does something else really fun instead.
TL;DR
Just your run of the mill "I'm a dumb*ss with a DUI that wants to fly" thread, just with no excuses. And I did email Dr. Bruce.
First; I know within the next 2-3 posts someone will say "Contact Dr. Bruce!" I've done that. I emailed him through the website tonight, and hope to hear from him next week before he leaves for vacation on the 29th (though I know his is surely busy and know I may not get a response from him until he returns).
I've always wanted to get my private pilot cert but always thought it was out of my reach. I flew with a friend of my grandfather's when I was little in his C150 and absolutely loved it. Grew up on MS Flight Simulator, actually trying to fly correctly, not just crashing into things. Recently I was talking to a friend that flies blackhawks and he said if I want to get it, just dive in, pay for lessons when I can afford it and eventually I'll get there, so I did. I went on a discovery flight Thursday, and am scheduled for my first lesson next Thursday. They gave me the medical info with a list of local AME's and I was on top of the world.
Then I started the 8500-8 and got to number 18... In October of 2011 I was arrested for DUI. I won't make any excuses, I won't moan about "I was good" any of that. Regardless of the circumstances, what my BAC was, what the law says, I knew I was wrong, plain and simple and I have since made major life changes (cut my "drinking buddies" out of my life, though I know it was not THEIR fault, but they were an excuse I gave to myself to drink). I won't lie and say I stopped drinking totally, however these days I rarely drink, and don't "go out drinking." Maybe a beer with dinner or a on a special occasion where I know I won't be driving (and no one else will be either... riding with a drunk driver is just as bad as being one!!!).
Now from what I've read, I would be ok right there... had I submitted to the BAC test. Yes I refused. It turned out to be a sound legal strategy, as the case was dropped, however it resulted in losing my license for 6 months, and then having it restricted for 6 more. This is where the issue comes in. I realize that means my medical will get a mandatory deferral to OKC and I'll have some legwork to do if I want this to happen. While I await the good doctor's advice I thought I might prostrate myself before the people of POA and see what y'all think.
NOW, there's more... like that wasn't enough. Before all that happened, in 2009 or 2010, I was prescribed citalopram (an SSRI) for a period of about 6 months. I had some major life events and have a tough go of it, but I got through it, and no longer needed the medication. In hindsight, I should have refused it altogether, but I work in a pharmacy, and we dispense TONS of SSRI's so I thought nothing of it. Well it seems the FAA isn't a big fan of those either. This wasn't even a concern of mine until I read the other SSRI threads below, tonight. The DUI was my biggest concern, but now I see people talking about $4000 for psych evals related to SSRI's and here I am working extra hours just to pay my lessons. Again, I know Dr. Chien is the definitive word in this area, especially, so I'm hoping he gets back to me soon and has good news (or at least not terrible news).
I know this was terribly long, and if you made it this far, thank you for your time. If you have anything to add please do, good or bad, I can only work with the truth. And if you think I'm a terrible person for the DUI, well I agree. I was terrible, and I hate what I did to myself, but it was a hard and expensive lesson that I learned, and I am just thankful that I learned it that way and not wrapped around a tree, or worse having killed an innocent person. I know it goes without saying around here, but JUST DON'T DO IT! Get a cab, or get a friend that doesn't drink to drive you. Better yet, go hang out with that friend that doesn't drink and do something ELSE!! If he doesn't drink, he likely does something else really fun instead.
TL;DR
Just your run of the mill "I'm a dumb*ss with a DUI that wants to fly" thread, just with no excuses. And I did email Dr. Bruce.