DC Medical Line

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UTLonghorn_1979

Line Up and Wait
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Jun 11, 2024
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UTLonghorn_1979
I just tried calling the WA DC FAA medical line (202-267-0435) and you are no longer able to even leave a message. Says to call the OKC number, even though they have zero info on my case from the prior 5 calls. Nothing helpful on MedExpress.

Anyone know what’s going on?
 
Uh, getting tired of hearing “I left a message…”?

Wow… can’t say I’m surprised.
 
Tools said:
Uh, getting tired of hearing “I left a message…”?

Wow… can’t say I’m surprised.
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I’ve been super patient, done everything asked of me…spent over $15K on tests/evaluations, HIMS appointments, random screenings. I am losing my patience, again. At what point do you have an argument of essentially the right to a speedy trial under the 6th amendment. Maybe I need to review the Pilot’s Bill of Rights again, this is so frustrating.
 
Ping congress critter via “help with a fed agency” on their website. Keep narrative SHORT, like ONLY “it’s been long, I feel I deserve an answer”.

They can’t petition for any particular outcome, but they can light a fire…
 
Tools said:
Ping congress critter via “help with a fed agency” on their website. Keep narrative SHORT, like ONLY “it’s been long, I feel I deserve an answer”.

They can’t petition for any particular outcome, but they can light a fire…
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This would be a second time I’ve done that. First response was “we’re backed up."
 
Ugh…. Gee, wonder why that is? Geesh.

I got nothing. And I feel for ya. I’m practically in the business of consulting on this stuff, it gets depressing. If I flew airplanes as poorly as they do their job….

Are all federal agencies this bad? I don’t feel their hands are tied, they could do better.
 
Call OKC and ask? I’ve never had a problem talking to a person. Son in law is in the process of a review and has no problem getting to a person. Getting the reviewer to extract their head from their rectum is more challenging but that is what it is. You’ll never get to talk to the reviewer.
 
Stewartb said:
Call OKC and ask? I’ve never had a problem talking to a person. Son in law is in the process of a review and has no problem getting to a person. Getting the reviewer to extract their head from their rectum is more challenging but that is what it is. You’ll never get to talk to the reviewer.
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Not a problem getting person in OKC, but that’s all you get. No info, just it’s still in process with DC, we won’t see anything until
DC updates it.

I can’t believe the DMV is better than the FAA. Unreal.
 
I called again to see if things changed, looks like you can leave a VM but says they are not returning phone calls, so not sure if they are monitoring or what.
 
UTLonghorn_1979 said:
At what point do you have an argument of essentially the right to a speedy trial under the 6th amendment.
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"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence."

When you're being criminally prosecuted for something.
 
UTLonghorn_1979 said:
Anyone know what’s going on?
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Same thing that's happening at my local Class D airport where the tower is supposed to have 7 or 8 controllers on staff.

Right now they have two.

As a result they never approve pattern work and we have to go to an uncontrolled airfield to do it.
 
Lindberg said:
"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence."

When you're being criminally prosecuted for something.
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The operative word in my question is “essentially.” Maybe equivalent is a better word.

Flying is not a right, I understand that, point being though is the way the FAA administrates this is neither fair or efficient. And to every pilot involved in the process, it feels like a punishment and punitive process.
 
They have NEVER answered that line. It's part of being able to say, "well we have an inquiries line".....sigh.
 
bbchien said:
They have NEVER answered that line. It's part of being able to say, "well we have an inquiries line".....sigh.
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They used to at least call you back within 2-3 days. Now it just says they are unable to return your call, too many cases and too little staff. This is why they should empower the AME/HIMS AME to issue SI in 99% of the cases once the AME reviews the same reports that the FAA FAS ultimately does. They won’t delegate, even though they could.
 
UTLonghorn_1979 said:
They used to at least call you back within 2-3 days. Now it just says they are unable to return your call, too many cases and too little staff. This is why they should empower the AME/HIMS AME to issue SI in 99% of the cases once the AME reviews the same reports that the FAA FAS ultimately does. They won’t delegate, even though they could.
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You are actually correct. But they are two years behind on SSRI issuances (as announced at the Louisville meeting last month). And when you call OKC they say, "well it's in Washinton and there's no news".
 
bbchien said:
You are actually correct. But they are two years behind on SSRI issuances (as announced at the Louisville meeting last month). And when you call OKC they say, "well it's in Washinton and there's no news".
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Yes, exactly! I just don’t understand how that’s acceptable in any world! If every specialist and the AME recommends SI, it should end there…not sit at the FAS for 6 to (apparently now) 24 months. Every person in this situation, especially when the SSRI deferral is unrelated to depression, bipolar, suicide, etc. and only for GAD/social anxiety diagnosis, has every right to be outraged at this process. At least in my opinion. I’ve spent 1/4th of a decade now trying to get a class 3 SI just to be able to fly myself around for pleasure and business, not to mention spent over $15K in tests. I feel like that’s the definition of punitive and unreasonable.
 
Half Fast said:
Uh, Bruce? Doesn't that mean that unless you're under 40 and getting a class 3, they're issuing medicals that are already expired?
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Yes it does. And this example will show it can be closer to 3 years.

I have been doing 48 month re-deferrals and HIMS updates so that when my guy gets his moment in the sun he gets issued, not a "please within 60 days send...." letter.

In April (2025) I finally got a guy authorized who was deferred first in June of 22, and again in early July of 24, and his auth is dated 04/26/25 (3rd Class). And if he's reading this he'll know who he is. He almost gave up but he won....it was costly, back to the HIMS psychiatrist, and to the HIMS neuropsychologist for an "update", lots of continuous testing, but he WON.

A candidate with this sort of past, has to send the CLEAR signal that inaction will not be a way out, that the candidate will continue to document in the current time everything that demonstrates that he make meet Standards over all time; INACTION will not result in "going away", as it were. the agency examiner has to know that at the time he's finally seeing the file, the guy meets stds. He's not gonna deny the file if you clearly, in the moment in the sun, meet stds.

That means also, uploading current random testing eveyr 6 months so that the medical officer knows, "still sober".

UT you have no concept of the degree of perseverence that is required. I started working with his particular candidate in 12/2020 and it started with a credit check and personal statement. And he started work on this in 2016.

And railing, as you used to do, doens't do a thing. You just get old. Find someone who knows where the squares are and fill them diligently, credibly, and repeatedly. And win. They agency is a "By Criteria" organization. Satisfy the criteria in all current time.

B
 
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bbchien said:
UT you have no concept of the degree of perseverence that is required. I started working with his particular candidate in 12/2020 and it started with a credit check and personal statement. And he started work on this in 2016.

And railing, as you used to do, doens't do a thing. You just get old. Find someone who knows where the squares are and fill them diligently, credibly, and repeatedly. And win. They agency is a "By Criteria" organization. Satisfy the criteria in all current time.

B
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Feels good to vent though! ;). Regarding the FAA, the public is noticing and the lawmakers are noticing that they are a mess. It’s my belief, hope at least, that by 2030 this will be meaningfully addressed. There are multiple bills and requirements for the FAA to address currently underway from prior legislation and/or committee reports.

Until then you’re right, I just have other stay the course, do my best to be patient and otherwise do what I can. I believe I have a good AME, my file was sent complete, no request for additional info from the FAA after 6 months. Just hoping for reason to prevail.
 
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