"Pilots are crying out for help": Pilots criticize FAA for outdated, prohibitive mental health policies

CBS Colorado ^ | 8/25/2023 | KATI WEIS

[CodeToad]

“You didn’t read the article.”

I read and understood it. You just think you read it.

[CodeToad]

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.

[CodeToad]

“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?”

[9422WMR]

A lot of professional pilots suffer from AIDS.
No not that.
Aviation Induced Divorce Syndrome
😏

[Myrddin]

I was signed off for my fixed wing private pilot license in early 1982. The last time I actually flew was July 18, 1982 when I traveled from Brown Field to Van Nuys with a former student. The costs to fly were limiting my ability to remain current. In 1983, I purchased a new house and that really trashed my disposable income. It also required disclosing my license to my insurance company. Want to fly? Watch the life insurance rates skyrocket. July 1985 arrived and I had a cancer diagnosis. Don't even think about a flight physical now. C'est la vie. It was fun to earn the private pilot license and bore some holes in the sky. A fond memory I won't be able to replicate now.

[Nifster]

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

[one guy in new jersey]

Well if you put it that way, okay...

[yldstrk]

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.

[Nathan _in_Arkansas]

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.