U.S. to screen pilots, controllers for sleep apnea

[Snowwhite999]

Seems like a good idea to me.

http://news.yahoo.com/u-screen-obese-pi ... nance.html

[BlackSpinner]

Don't a lot of airlines already do that?

[chunkyfrog]

So, the assumption is that nobody with a BMI of 39 or less can possibly have apnea?
Yikes, I'm through flying.

[Todzo]

I think BlackSpinner is probably correct that a diagnosis of OSA requires written approval for you license to be valid to operate a big bird but I am also suspicious that this makes for kind of a “do not ask and I will not tell” environment within the pilot doctor relationships.

I tend to feel the same way as chunkyfrog. The BMI for screening should be lower than 40 but other tests should be added as well including those to assess memory, executive dysfunction, and vigilance all given at times and in ways which check for stamina (when they would be fatigued). It is the red eye flight after several bad nights that will bring out these potentially deadly lacks.

Even with all of that, however, human vigilance is never totally reliable. The technology to detect a lack of human vigilance has come of age. It is time to require the use of this technology by those who are in a position which takes vital responsibility for many lives.

[JohnO]

So, the assumption is that nobody with a BMI of 39 or less can possibly have apnea?

No, they are saying that they are -starting- with the folks with BMI above 40 and the larger neck size listed in the article.

I'm a pilot and flight instructor. All pilots in the US need to have a flight physical on a regular basis. Airline pilots need to pass a flight physical every 6 months. Once diagnosed with sleep apnea, your medical certificate (and ability to legally be PIC, or "Pilot in Command") is null and void until you are cleared by a process referred to as a "special issuance." A special issuance for sleep apnea requires that you present data to your FAA medical examiner from your sleep doc, including 31 days of compliance at more than 6 hours a night. The sleep doctor also has to write a letter listing a number of other factors to show you are being successfully treated for sleep apnea.

John

[chunkyfrog]

I understand that testing for sleep apnea is only mandatory for BMI of 40 or more,
which says to me that otherwise it is up to the doctor, based on information from the patient,
who may or may not mention symptoms of apnea as per his own choice.
Mask dread is common in the regular population--are pilots immune?

[StuUnderPressure]

So, the assumption is that nobody with a BMI of 39 or less can possibly have apnea?

No, they are saying that they are -starting- with the folks with BMI above 40 and the larger neck size listed in the article.
John

I agree that they have to start somewhere, so they picked a population that has a greater chance of having Sleep Apnea.

And yes, some of those people will probably not have Sleep Apnea.
But I'll bet they do identify quite a few from that population.
Hell, some of them may already be on a CPAP.

[dc7730]

[/quote]

I agree that they have to start somewhere, so they picked a population that has a greater chance of having Sleep Apnea.

[/quote]

Why Pilots? They are targeting all pilots, the ones that fly small airplanes....why not target a bigger audience ? say truck drivers, bus drivers, garbage haulers, train conductors, or maybe the construction industry machine operators????????

Most people assume private pilots are rich and can afford the additional cost of the study ! another nail in the coffin of General Aviation, not all pilots are rich and can afford the burdens of additional testing or regulation.

I know many pilots, yes I am one too....most are healthy and conscientious to a fault without the need for government intervention or someone telling them they need medical attention...Just my .02

[Pugsy]

why not target a bigger audience ? say truck drivers, bus drivers

They are already targeting drivers who hold a CDL drivers license and have been for a while now. There has been big hooplah over the testing and restrictions in the truck driver community for a handful of years now. I know because my husband is one.
The DOT continues to put more teeth in the guidelines for screening and some companies even have their own guidelines...so pilots weren't the first to get the short straw for forced screening.

[BlackSpinner]

Why Pilots? They are targeting all pilots, the ones that fly small airplanes....why not target a bigger audience ? say truck drivers, bus drivers, garbage haulers, train conductors, or maybe the construction industry machine operators????????

Because both driving and flying while being "under the influence" is bad. Falling asleep while flying a bomb over populated areas is really bad.

not all pilots are rich and can afford the burdens of additional testing or regulation.

If you can't afford to be tested you shouldn't be flying.

most are healthy and conscientious to a fault without the need for government intervention or someone telling them they need medical attention.

One of the insidious effects of sleep deprivation is believing it isn't affecting you, that your judgement is fine, just fine.

[woodworkerjunkie]

Because both driving and flying while being "under the influence" is bad. Falling asleep while flying a bomb over populated areas is really bad.

Now that we have the infamous Obamacare, and driving under the influence is bad, maybe we need to test everybody that holds a drivers license! I wonder how many people have lost their lives due to the ordinary driver on the roads with s/a? I know, as long as it doesn't affect "yourself", then everyone is all for it, but, let the idea that you would have to be tested and all of a sudden, it's a different story! Same as heavy taxation on smokers, as long as your not a smoker, your all for it! Just remember that when they want to tax something close to home, such as alcohol, snack foods, soft drinks or your favorite sport or concert venue, just consider it a luxury tax! After all, it's for the greater good! Long live the One World Government! NOT!!!!

I believe I got that point across a few months back, when I played devil's advocate about drug testing people that received any form of government assistance! Remember the part where I was told that you can't do that because then your "assuming" that everyone is guilty, until proven innocent!

I'll be waiting for the yes, but....!

[jnk]

Generally, industries begin implementing mandatory testing once they are convinced by their own lawyers that one day they could get sued for not doing it whenever they "knew" something bad could happen. Assessment of legal risks drives the medical-economic positions of large companies, and it is much the same for governmental organizations. "You knew this could happen yet you did nothing" is a powerful argument that politicians and officials fear almost as much as CEOs fear those words.

[BlackSpinner]

Because both driving and flying while being "under the influence" is bad. Falling asleep while flying a bomb over populated areas is really bad.

Now that we have the infamous Obamacare, and driving under the influence is bad, maybe we need to test everybody that holds a drivers license! I wonder how many people have lost their lives due to the ordinary driver on the roads with s/a? I know, as long as it doesn't affect "yourself", then everyone is all for it, but, let the idea that you would have to be tested and all of a sudden, it's a different story! Same as heavy taxation on smokers, as long as your not a smoker, your all for it! Just remember that when they want to tax something close to home, such as alcohol, snack foods, soft drinks or your favorite sport or concert venue, just consider it a luxury tax! After all, it's for the greater good! Long live the One World Government! NOT!!!!

I believe I got that point across a few months back, when I played devil's advocate about drug testing people that received any form of government assistance! Remember the part where I was told that you can't do that because then your "assuming" that everyone is guilty, until proven innocent!

I'll be waiting for the yes, but....!

Many places require a medial certificate to drive if you have any medical condition at all. In Ontario a doctor is required to report an OSA diagnosis. I had to provide a medical certificate in Quebec to renew my license when I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. My father at 82 needed a doctors certificate to renew i Alberta. What is the big deal? The "freedom" to wipe out whole families with 2 tons of steel?

All luxuries should be taxed to the hilt - they are not needed to live. If it makes it outside you budget, then you shouldn't be playing because you haven't "earned" the perk.

[Foggy1]

I heard a news report on this topic earlier in the week, and they said they are starting with those pilots whose BMI is 40 or above, but will begin looking at those with lower BMIs next. They explained it as a phased approach.

[woodworkerjunkie]

Here in the US, it's a different story. Unless the person applying or renewing their license actually tells them they have medical issues, it's usually never known by the testing center. There are people with known s/a, heart problems, epilepsy, high blood pressure etc... out there driving down the highway. My point is, that if the government is doing it for safety reasons, it shouldn't pick a select group of people, but treat everyone the same under the law, most would consider this discrimination. It doesn't matter whether your paid to drive cars or trucks or fly planes, if it is for safety purposes, then everyone driving on the roads or flying planes should be tested!

All luxuries should be taxed to the hilt - they are not needed to live. If it makes it outside you budget, then you shouldn't be playing because you haven't "earned" the perk.

I will totally disagree with you on this! Since our wages are already taxed, how we use our money is none of the governments concern, they have already received theirs! They can have their choice; tax wages and collect taxes on legit government functions (roads, military etc...) or a fair tax, based on consumption (more you consume, the more you pay), but not both!

If it should be based on "needed to live", then I guess anything over a 400 square ft. house should be taxed to the hilt, or anything over $60 a week in groceries should be taxed to the hilt! After all, all a family needs is a roof over their heads to keep them warm and dry, anything more than that can be considered a luxury! A family of 3 can survive on $60 a week in groceries, not the greatest food, but, they can survive! It all comes down to what someone considers luxury! Owning a car could be considered a luxury for some people while others would consider it a necessity. Planes for some are the same as cars for others, some people do a great deal of traveling in a week. So, it makes more since to own a $60,000 plane to fly from city to city than to constantly buy tickets on commercial flights, and hope there is a seat available for a last minute trip.

I for one am tired of the government of the USA and people from other countries, thinking that the citizens of the US. should tolerate a nanny state government! They (government) are over-stepping the powers alloted to them in "our" constitution, and it's time for it to stop! If you don't mind your government taxing you into oblivion, or telling you how to live your life, that's your choice, and I won't try to tell Canadians how and where they need taxes and laws in their country! But, something for Canadians to consider is the relationship of the US and Canada trade. Some interesting reading for you. http://point2make.hubpages.com/hub/The- ... y-That-Bad,
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/ ... -relations. Canada "may" survive if the US falters, but, it will surely hurt the Canadian economy for a while also. So, it is important to "both" of our countries that the US clean up it's spending habits, pay down the deficit and try to lower tax rates to get businesses back up and producing again to compete in the global market! If not, health insurance will be way down the list of concerns of Americans, if the US economy fails!

If it makes it outside you budget, then you shouldn't be playing because you haven't "earned" the perk.

Maybe the government needs to learn to "budget" when it comes to spending money! Some of their pet projects can wait till they have the money budgeted, not "buy now", "pay later"! They need to learn to decide on what is actually "needed" and what is considered "wants or perks"! Wants and perks this country can live without, until they get the budget and spending back under control! It's time they quit spending, wasting and handing out money like it is water!

That's all I gotta say bout dat!