Posted on 08/28/2023 5:03:06 AM PDT by logi_cal869
Some pilots say it's an issue many are afraid to talk about, but should be taking about - the Federal Aviation Administration's mental health policies. They tell CBS News Colorado the policies are outdated and are causing pilots to lie about their conditions or avoid getting help, leading to issues boiling over.
They worry if the FAA's policies don't see serious changes soon, the growing pilot shortage is only going to get worse, and many pilots currently allowed in the cockpit are going to continue to suffer alone without the help they need.
"The system discourages people from getting help," says Adam Lemons, an aircraft technician and pilot license applicant. "I feel like I'm being punished for being forthcoming and getting the help that I felt that I needed."
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He says since then, the FAA has subjected him to costly frequent drug tests, and doctor's visits with FAA-approved experts who don't accept insurance.
He says the FAA wouldn't accept other doctor's notes saying that he was perfectly fine to fly a plane.
"Over the last six years I think I've spent a little over $30,000 of my own dollars to determine my air safety," Lemons said.
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"As a pilot, it's brutal. It's just absolutely brutal," he said. "You can't go see a therapist. You can't go see a counselor, you are constantly worried about not only losing the certificate in your pocket and the ability to feed your family, but I'll be very honest with you, you're going to lose your identity, and that fear is so strong that it just, it tears you apart."
He says the FAA's mental health policies are based off standards from the 1980s, and they're one of the biggest reasons for the growing pilot shortage.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
“You didn’t read the article.”
I read and understood it. You just think you read it.
An expert to help get through a divorce or loss of a child, sure, everyone needs good advice from time to time, but suicide ideation, psychosis, or any form of mental instability should never be in a cockpit.
“I have a BH waiver and medication waiver from the US Army to fly the AH-64D/E Apache helicopter.”
Just because they give them doesn’t mean they should.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we are now boarding for flight United 2478. Your pilot today was just released from a mental health hold for trying to suicide, but he’s all better now, so please welcome him and congratulate him on staying alive. And, please, be gentle as to not set him off, you do want to make your destination, don’t you?”
A lot of professional pilots suffer from AIDS.
No not that.
Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome
😏
PTSD is a very real condition and can pose a huge challenge
Were you sitting next to your buddy when an ISD went over ripping him apart and injuring you?
Yeah didn’t think so
Get over your own self and don’t worry about others
Well if you put it that way, okay...
OK, I’ll grant you combat (real combat) stress. But I am a family law attorney and every person wants to say they have complex ptsd, you know why? PTSD is socially acceptable mental illness.
Now maybe you see where I am coming from and you can get over your prejudice.
So says the tough guy.
If you’ve never served in direct combat, I won’t be able to explain anything to you.
If you have, then you know temporarily reaching a breaking point, getting help, and recovering is quite common. Year after year of being “over there” juggling combat exposure and trying to maintain a family is quite pressing.
It doesn’t mean that someone is beyond redemption and healing.
Your example is hyperbole if the highest order you seem to use in order to simply claim that your position is black and white and is true.
It’s not, Mr. Mental Health Professional Pilot.
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