I know that I will need a special issuance due to a misdiagnosis of “major depressive disorder”. Doctors love to throw a random diagnosis if you mention being sad. I was wondering if it’s possible to get this special issuance removed and just get a “normal medical.”? And I’m scared that this will affect my hiring at a possibly major airline in the future. I know people say that it doesn’t matter and they don’t care, but I find that hard to believe.
Getting special issuance removed from medical?
- Thread starter Pathexe
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Yes. Typically after a few years they'll tell you to go back on normal issuance, but to stop flying and notify them immediately if you ever get depressed again.
Frankly, the airlines are not concerned with SIs. In fact, there's nothing that tells them what the SI is for, and the only way they know you have one is a telltale "NOT VALID FOR ANY CLASS" or ""CALL JOKLAHOMA CITY FOR DETAILS" notation on your certificate. In fact, it would be a violation of federal law to hold this against you.
Frankly, the airlines are not concerned with SIs. In fact, there's nothing that tells them what the SI is for, and the only way they know you have one is a telltale "NOT VALID FOR ANY CLASS" or ""CALL JOKLAHOMA CITY FOR DETAILS" notation on your certificate. In fact, it would be a violation of federal law to hold this against you.
Thanks for the reply. Another question… once.l I disclose my issue to them, will they only need my medical records for that specific issue? Or do they want ALL history of records including age 1+… im confused on that. Also.. I’ve heard that Joklahoma city will give you the runaround and let papers stack up. What do I need to do? Get a HIMS AME? Or just go to a regular AME and tell him my situation?
Depends what your issue is. Mostly, they just want anything related to the condition you were deferred for. The key is to get an AME that is fairly savvy on the conditions involved. Chances are you'll end up needing to see a HIMS one anyhow. A frank consultation BEFORE starting an application may be in order. At least you can get all your ducks in a row prior to the exam which may speed things up (as slow as they are going to be anyhow).
Thanks for the reply much appreciated
MVM19
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Adding a data point that it's possible to get dropped from the Special Issuance program — I did it. Your diagnosis may be harder to get dropped, but I think you could certainly try. My AME advocated for it and wrote a brief letter to the FAA on my behalf after a couple of years of being on the HIMS SI pathway but for Adjustment Disorder. That said, I also had a lot of supporting documentation in the form of a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation from a HIMS Psychiatrist.
Even before the FAA made the changes that allowed for Adjustment Disorder diagnoses last year, I heard the same data that FlyingRon mentioned from my AME — which is that many times, they want you on the monitoring pathway for a few years, and then they'll drop you back into the normal pipeline. It's also worth noting that many airlines have private consulting/advocacy groups they work with as your representative for cases like this, so once you're in, you may be able to get support through the process if/as needed (ideally without having to pay for it.)
Even before the FAA made the changes that allowed for Adjustment Disorder diagnoses last year, I heard the same data that FlyingRon mentioned from my AME — which is that many times, they want you on the monitoring pathway for a few years, and then they'll drop you back into the normal pipeline. It's also worth noting that many airlines have private consulting/advocacy groups they work with as your representative for cases like this, so once you're in, you may be able to get support through the process if/as needed (ideally without having to pay for it.)
bbchien
Touchdown! Greaser!
I recently was able to issue a 28 y.o who got a "get us a HIMS psychiatrist eval" letter (it to them 9 months to get to it and gave her 51 days) because her caretaker was sharp enough to write a detailed letter that basically screamed "adjustment disorder adjusted no suicidality no recurrence".
The agency only knows what it knows, and demands for the worst case scenario. Of course, She really got no help from her year ago AME....sigh.
The agency only knows what it knows, and demands for the worst case scenario. Of course, She really got no help from her year ago AME....sigh.
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Yes but the issue is that the doctor wrote suicidal ideation without intent on it whenever I never said that. What are your thoughts on this? Would I ever be able to even get a medical with this? Or would they make me wait 10 years as I’ve heard some people say?
bbchien
Touchdown! Greaser!
Pathexe, nobody is going to give credence to a person whose reality testing is impaired in a contest, between a health professional (Licensed) and the subject who reports "no way is that so!!".
The situation is analagous to when a patrol officer impunes your behavior. There is NOTHING you can do (behavior) on your behalf except BLOW and hopefully, low.
A new assessment can be added by a superiorly credentialed expert- but the oringal assessment is the orignal. It's a LEGAL record and cannot be "undone". And the new assessment/assessor - has to admit he wan't there.
The situation is analagous to when a patrol officer impunes your behavior. There is NOTHING you can do (behavior) on your behalf except BLOW and hopefully, low.
A new assessment can be added by a superiorly credentialed expert- but the oringal assessment is the orignal. It's a LEGAL record and cannot be "undone". And the new assessment/assessor - has to admit he wan't there.
Yeah it just makes it so unfair for these people that lie on their medical about this stuff and get away with it. How in the heck do they get away with it Dr Chien? I feel like they have no incentive to look and I feel like LOTS of pilots get away Scot free with this to be totally honest,unless they have a crash… which is extremely slim if we’re being honest
Lying on the medical often catches up with people. Sometimes it's unfortunately after a fatal accident. I had two close friends, both highly respected "famous" pilots who found to have disqualifying conditions in their post-crash autopsies. In a more fortunate case, the FAA just finds out and cancels all the certificates.
bbchien
Touchdown! Greaser!
Don be fooled, Pathexe. LIars do eventauly get burnt.
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