Actual NPRM outlining policy, instead of just the press release.

http://sites.google.com/site/jrguestbook/files/SSRI.pdf

And a comment from someone in the know, that I think, kind of, brackets what is going on here:

"Read the document; the pilot group (severe depressives) you cite is not covered in this change. What is covered are pilots who have recovered, don't need medication, but their docs want a low chronic maintenence dose to prolong time to relapse. These chornic stable recovered pilots are indistinguishable from the normal and are forced into compromise by the old policy.

What this means is, the FACT of these four meds is no longer automatically grounding. It means that the underlying condition then governs."

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:I just think that there are those big-iron drivers or cub pilots who I would trust depressed and on SSRI medications over those who are perfectly healthy and are perfectly qualified, but are still numbnuts.

I have had only one job in my life where my life absolutly depended on the other guy I was with. If either were a depressed guy on meds or a numbnut, I would haved passed. If you are taking depressed folks on meds then you are no longer taking the best, you have lowered the bar.

And that is the wrong comparison. Would you trust the depressed guy over the non depressed guy if the experience, knowledge, judgement and everything else were equal and neither were numbnuts? I think not.


Tim

qmdv wrote:I have had only one job in my life where my life absolutly depended on the other guy I was with. If either were a depressed guy on meds or a numbnut, I would haved passed. If you are taking depressed folks on meds then you are no longer taking the best, you have lowered the bar.

And that is the wrong comparison. Would you trust the depressed guy over the non depressed guy if the experience, knowledge, judgement and everything else were equal and neither were numbnuts? I think not.


Tim

I would if they were medicated and stable. Matter of fact, I do.

The problem, of course, is that we aren't talking about the extremes of "the best" and true numbnuts, but a range of in-betweens. I'd take "the best" on a baseline maintenance regimen over "the just good 'nuff" filling many pilot seats. See the Colgan crash.

once&futr_alaskaflyer wrote:
I would if they were medicated and stable. Matter of fact, I do.

Is that a drawback when you work for government. You have to lower your standards

Tim

qmdv wrote:Is that a drawback when you work for government. You have to lower your standards

Tim

So everyone in private industry knows who is seeing a shrink, who is taking what pills?

UNCLE

tim

Tim:

Re previous post a few back. Yea, it's true a person could probably find a "shrink for sale" who may sign off of a person to fly but if so they are also putting their entire livelihood at stake if in fact they make a wrong decision due to the lawsuits that will most certainly follow. It's my best clinical hunch that most MH profs who will be evaluating individuals on these four SSRI's will be pretty conservative. I know if it was me doing the evaluating the prospective pilot would have to be pretty convincing about their stability to get a sign off on the waiver.

Ask how many MD's are on SSRI's. Heck, it's possible that even your AME who did your last medical was on an SSRI. Does that mean he/she shouldn't have cleared the pilot to fly because they couldn't make a clear decision because they were on meds?

Just something to think about.

Steve

qmdv wrote:UNCLE

tim

hey I'm just talking out of my ass like most of us. But I think that there are pilots out there right now who are dangerous because they AREN'T on the blasted things - they know the score and it is don't ask don't tell.

I've seen the careers of some pretty excellent people saved by SSRIs - outside of the pilot ranks of course.

GUMP FOR PRESIDENT

Make it dictator, and all those asshole politicians would be unemployed and on Prozac.

Gump

As the guy who hands out the SSRI'S at the pharmacy, I am in amazement the number of people who take them. The uses are much broader than just antidepressants. I would have no problem with my right or left seater taking them. There are problems with the use and non use. So get a life and better living through Chemistry..

Baby, did you forget to take your meds...

Prozac's generic name is fluoxetine. The shit works so great that you can give it to Fido and then he will be able to pilot a plane, too!

http://www.1800petmeds.com/Fluoxetine-prod10489-10489.html

I love the possible side effects. Don't worry, they only affect pets. Pilots are immune.

When I cried UNCLE a few weeks ago I planned refrain from responding to this thread. But this last post from piss fir whilly just moved me to tears. Just had to share this with you all.

Tim

GumpAir wrote:No, what's astounding is the number of people in the United States, and the rest of the world, who can't get through life without using mind-altering drugs.

Our forefathers have to be spinning in their graves, watching our species turn into a bunch of fat, lazy, whiney, apathetic little droolers, taking pills for every real or imagined ache, pain, and discomfort. Shame on us for being so willing to give up our spirit, and shame on the drug companies and practitioners who dish the crap out so they can make a buck.

Wolves preying on the sheep.

I don't want to ride with that guy if he has a mental illness, physical illness, or is on anything stronger than an aspirin. I'm sorry, but if you have depression so bad that you have to be medicated, you don't belong in the cockpit.


Gump

Well said Gump. My sentiments exactly.

kevbert wrote:Prozac's generic name is fluoxetine. The shit works so great that you can give it to Fido and then he will be able to pilot a plane, too!

http://www.1800petmeds.com/Fluoxetine-prod10489-10489.html

I love the possible side effects. Don't worry, they only affect pets. Pilots are immune.

Prozac for pets? You've got to be kidding me. I guess if it keeps those suicidal dogs from chasing cars in the street.

I see a lot of people traveling with their pets and I am constantly shaking my head in disbelief.