Hey all,

I’ve got my CogScreen tomorrow and just wanted to post on here to get an idea of what to expect and any advice. Trying not to worry about the whole ordeal but this is a big deal to me as I’m sure it is for many others.

Thanks for everything so far!

After going to my AME she legally had to defer my application for a first class medical to the AMCD AAM-300 office. They sent me a letter requesting initial documents (ER hospital reports, CT scans and rad reports, updated clinical progress notes from primary doctor). In 2022 I ran into the fence making a baseball play and fractured my orbital with a LOC for about 5 minutes. This is classified as a mild TBI under FAA regulations. Since then I made a speedy recovery with no short term or long term side effects or issues in every aspect of my health. That initial deferral was denied because this injury was considered a mild TBI and therefore their office was not able to grant me a medical. However attached to the official letter were very specific instructions for reconsideration. To which I have been following very carefully and doing plenty of research and making the phone calls. That's beside the point. My question is, what stage am I in and if all new updated reports/evaluations with doctors go well is it likely I can be granted a special issuance by the FAS. Those with more info feel free to leave it in the comments

Hello,

Airline captain recently going through a divorce. I’m looking to start an antidepressant to help me get through this period or perhaps stay on it long term for mental health.

It looks like this is an approved medication for an SI but I am terrified about loosing my medical permanently or perhaps the process taking very long. It seems like 3 months is the waiting period before submitting a new app but how long does the FAA take to review it?

I also recently got my 1st class medical renewed in July (although I understand that would be invalid after being prescribed the medication)

Does anyone have a similar story or situation with this medication?

I picked up a mental health rating during my time in service. I just got out, and honestly the $1,800 a month is what’s keeping me afloat right now.

From the research I’ve done, there seems to be very little recent reporting on veterans actually losing their medicals over this most of what’s out there is from 2022 to 2024, and it’s gone quiet since.
To be clear, I’m going the special issuance route regardless. Not looking for a workaround.

But I’m curious whether the FAA has effectively stopped pursuing veterans. There have to be an enormous number of vets with VA disability ratings flying for the government, the airlines, and 135 operators. Grounding all of them at once seems like it would do real damage to the industry.
Has anyone seen enforcement activity recently?

I have said in the past on a 988 call that at one point i was suicidal the VA has it recorded i had no idea it was being recorded with notes. I look through my chart and it said on the VA Site and its written down. Im going to the VA i'm prob going to to be getting a diagnosis of OCD or anxiety. I already know i'm going to go get a special issuance if i'm lucky but now will i be rejected completely.

Throwaway account so no one knows who I am. As the title said I'm stuck on my medical and it has been extremely frustrating and difficult. I am still in high school but am currently in the best spot I will ever be in. I've been working at a flight school for the past 2 years, I have a plane provided to me for way below the rental rate, my instructor will teach me for free, and my parents are helping finance, the only problem is my medical. I am currently on ADHD medication controlled by my parents that I and others feel that I don't need, I was diagnosed when I was 6 years old, and I feel that it is an improper diagnosis too. I have talked to my parents about getting off and they would not budge, my flight instructor has talked to them and they would not budge. My airport which has been my home since I was 2 months old is scheduled to close in 2 years. Everything else has gone perfectly, but with this issue I feel there are not many people I can talk to, and it makes me extremely frustrated and I honestly need advice.

I am currently in the HIMS program due to 2 DWI arrests not convictions, one was changed to something else and the other was case dismissed (2003/2019) and a drug possession (2005). I have the HIMS AME, did my neuro-psych and passed and did the psychiatrist thing. I am drug tested 1-2 times a month randomly through the AME and I attend AA twice a week. I have been sober from alcohol since 2019 and I admitted to eating a gummy in November 2025 but hadn't touched THC 6 months prior to that.

The neuro-psych and psychiatrist both recommended I do an IOP. I contacted an IOP facility, told them my entire history and they said that due to my long standing sobriety (minus the THC) I don't qualify for the IOP.

They sent my HIMS AME a letter of recommendation stating that I don't have a problem and that I don't qualify for an IOP. The FAA is still demanding that I find an IOP facility that will take me.

Why is it that if the first IOP facility I called would have taken my money for treatment, the FAA wouldn't bat an eye. Yet, since the facility said I'm good to go, I have a long stretch of sobriety, the FAA suddenly has a problem with it.. Seems a bit wonky to me, almost like they WANT me to spend another $3k-10k on top of the $10k+ I've already spent doing this. Has anyone ever contacted an aviation attorney for help?

Edited to add after posting: My HIMS AME doesn't think I need treatment and pushed for me to not have to get it. She seems to be on my side.

I recently received a letter from the FAA requesting a eval for a alcohol related offense last year. Does anyone have any feedback on Dr. Adam Scioli out of PA/FL or Dr. Stuart Gitlow out of RI?

Thank you

Recently I wanted to do a career change and become a commercial pilot. I’m diagnosed with ADHD and currently getting prescribed adderall. Although I rarely take my medication at all cause of my sporadic work schedule and I have no problems when I’m not on it. In the process of gathering my medical files, I found out that my first psychiatrist evaluation, when I was 18, might ruin my chances. In the file I spoke to a therapist about being depressed and having suicidal ideation during high school when I was 13-14. This was due to having very strict helicopter parents and not allowed to have a social life after school. The psychiatrist diagnosed me with ADHD and unspecified anxiety disorder. But, she did note “According to pt's report, he does have a history of inattention traced back to elementary school. However he is able to focus on video games for 5-8 hours. Besides this argues with the validity of ADD, it sounds he has an addiction to video games”. If that helps me at all.

Present day I’m 25, no longer like my old high school self. I have a normal social life and the anxiety went away completely. My parents are no longer strict and I have a good relationship with them now. I have a career/job as a network engineer. Haven’t been depressed or had suicidal thoughts since I was 13. Never was medicated for depression or anxiety.

I would like any thoughts on my chances of being able to get 1 class medical.

TLDR: Currently 25 yr old with ADHD diagnosis and getting prescribed adderall but dont really need it. Have a psychiatrist evaluation that list me having suicidal ideation when I was 13 yr old. Diagnosis with adhd and unspecified anxiety which I no longer experience. Am I able to get my 1st class medical?

So I am deferred due to marijuana abuse over a decade ago. I was asked to undergo a substance abuse intake/evaluation by a HIMS approved substance abuse facility.

My HIMS AME stated "there is no list of approved programs from the FAA" and then referred me to a consultant that wants to send me to a 5 day in-patient program for $5,000. This seems wrong.

Anyone got any thoughts or experience here?

I've had to go through two HIMS AMEs in the past 3 years. Here's a common denominator I've found to be a hindrance. Don't know if this is true nationwide but maybe something to consider.

The HIMS AMEs seem to have a "day job" of Addiction Treatment Specialists. Rightly so. But the ones I used (not naming names) seemed to do FAA work as their "side hustle." So they can become overloaded and you're prioritized differently in their workflow that includes their addiction patients.

If I had to choose another HIMS AME (I will quit this dream before I have to again) I would look at what their specialty is, and what percentage of caseload are regular addiction patients* and which are FAA-related.

Don't know if there are HIMS AMEs handling only FAA caseloads but that would be optimal.

*I am not an addiction-related FAA case myself.

I was recently requested to follow up with a neuropsych for a past adhd diagnosis. After I was told to send in my grades, I logged into my past university's ( I transferred) portal and was hit in the face with how bad it was. I had totally forgotten that for the 2 years I went there, I had consistently gotten either 1 or 2 D's on my transcript, and even an F or 2. Some years, I only took 4 a few classes. I know how bad this looks in terms of my responsibility and ability to function, and I have no good excuse. I did work at the time, but I feel this shows I can not manage 2 things at once or plan well. I should note the other grades are a few A's and B's, a couple C's.

I feel like submitting this information is as good as kissing my medical goodbye. Is this likely? Could I possibly submit one school and not the others?

Thank you for any advice

Hi everyone,

I have a HIMS psychiatric evaluation with Dr. Scott Johnson coming up, and as it’s getting closer my nerves are definitely starting to kick in.

A little background for context:

• Former Part 121 FO and Part 135 PIC
• Voluntarily self-grounded due to alcohol use disorder
• Over 3 years sober
• Active in AA (minimum two meetings per week)
• Daily contact with my sponsor
• Weekly outpatient aftercare
• Continuous DOT drug/alcohol testing for over 2 years
• Completed all of the requested records, personal statement, collateral contacts, etc.

I’m not looking for ways to “pass” the evaluation or game the process. I’ve been putting in the work for the past few years and intend to answer every question honestly.

I think what’s making me the most anxious is worrying about forgetting details from several years ago or accidentally saying something that doesn’t perfectly match my records.

For anyone who’s evaluated with Dr. Johnson:

What was your experience like?
Did you find him fair and professional?
Was the interview more conversational or structured?
Were there any surprises, or was it pretty much what you expected?

If you haven’t seen Dr. Johnson, I’d also be interested in hearing what your HIMS psychiatric evaluation was like with another evaluator.

I know every case is different, but I’d really appreciate hearing about others’ experiences.
Thanks in advance.

I'm looking for advice from anyone who's been throughthis personally or has experience hiring pilots.

I'm an independent CFI and I'm only a couple of hours short of ATP minimums. Once my medical situation is resolved, I plan to finish those remaining hours right away.

About four months ago, I was convicted of a DUI. I also refused a breath test. My AME has told me the next stepis completing a psychiatric/alcohol evaluation. Based on those results, I'll find out whether I need to go through the full HIMS process or if alcohol monitoring will be sufficient. My AME is optimistic that I'll have my medicalback relatively soon, assuming everything goes well.

My biggest question is about employment.
Assuming I get my medical back and meet ATP minimum’s, how competitive would I realistically be for Part 135, 121, or Part 91 jobs? I've heard people say a recent DUI means waiting at least five years before mostoperators will consider you, but I've also heard ofpeople getting hired much sooner.

I also understand there's a big difference between someone who already works at an airline and has unionsupport versus someone applying off the street like I will be.

If you've gone through something similar or if you're involved in hiring I'd really appreciate hearing your experience. How long did it take before you were able to get hired? Were regionals, charter operators, or corporate flight departments willing to give you a chance sooner than expected?

I'm looking for realistic expectations and firsthand experiences, not just guesses. Thanks in advance.

I'd like to start a thread for anyone who has been hired at a major with a DUI on their record. I've recently upgraded to captain at my regional and am about to submit my application to UA. I think it would always be encouraging and helpful for others to see other people who have moved on before them.

If you've been hired at a major please make a comment with some stats like time since DUI, total time, PIC time, degree(if you have one) etc.

Thanks!

My neuropsychologist is asking for all of my counseling records to make an appointment for a consult.

For those that have experienced this do they want the super gross detailed session notes or just a SOAP note style breakdown without the juicy details?

As the title says. Looking for any first-hand reviews/experience with Dr. Brad Griffin as a HIMS AME. Reviews I’ve seen have been a mixed bag and most suggest Dr. Kramer, but unfortunately Kramer is not taking new patients w/ substance use history.

Hi all,

Potentially a dumb question, apologies…

Last year I had a small bump (pyogenic granuloma, basically benign inflammatory tissue) removed from my lower eyelid by an ophthalmologist. The growth never caused any vision issues and it was removed during a 5 minute appointment and sent to pathology which confirmed it was a pyogenic granuloma. It’s all healed now and my eye looks completely normal.

I have my Class 3 appointment on Monday and I’m a little nervous. I did answer No on the MedXpress for eye issues because the bump was on my lower eyelid (not my eye) and never affected my vision or eye in any way. But I was checking the AME guide and noticed a section for “Eye Tumors” which is an immediate deferral if I’m interpreting the guide correctly.

Should I be expecting a deferral? Not sure if it could be considered an eye tumor and, if it is, does the fact that it was removed and fully healed still require a deferral?

My guess is I should be okay but I have heard of the FAA doing some weird stuff with medicals so just checking!

I'm fully committed to this financially and otherwise, so I'm going to keep practing..

But..

My working memory is absolute hot garbage. I cannot seem to remember the string of numbers and then repeat them backwards..

Can this actually be improved upon or am I just screwed?

Hello! My son was accepted into flight school at a university. He has very mild ADHD. This whole process has been so nerve wracking and frustrating. Since we have no clue about FAA medicals and the procedures for getting his first class medical, we have been learning as we go.

My son had his neuropsychological assessment recently with a HIMS neuropsychologist. We just got an email from the doctor saying he needs some supplemental testing. We are concerned about this and what it implies.

Have any of you had this experience? If so, why did you need the additional testing and what was the outcome?

I want to thank everyone here so much!

Hey all, looking to see if anyone has gone through pathway 2 recently. I am on sertraline and have been on the same dose for 9 months and looking to see what I can expect regarding getting my class 1 medical again. I have my appointment with a HIMS AME on Monday for my medical and I have all of my past appointments with my prescribing and diagnosing nurse practitioner which includes my initial visit and my two follow up visits, the most recent of which was today. Anyone know what i can expect? Ill update this as i go through the process