BEagle,
I have to admit it seems you're being a little harsh on englishal. I don't smoke - not tobacco, not marijuana, not even when I was in Amsterdam. But I don't have a problem with other people who choose to do so, even pilots. So long as they leave enough time for the drugs to be completely removed from their system before flying, of course.
I do, however, enjoy the odd drop of alcohol, as I think most of us do. Of course, I'd never dream of flying without leaving more than a reasonable amount of time after drinking. I can't see the difference between alcohol and any other drug. So long as that drug is legal in the country where you take it, obviously!
Back to the subject of medicals, though - I agree, shop around. Prices definitely seem to vary. Also, some doctors aren't able to do certain parts of the medical (I spoke to one doctor about my class 2 initial, who quoted me a very reasonable price, but then added that I'd also have to visit someone else for the eye test, and that would require an additional charge. Can't see how a doctor could not be able to do a Class 2 eye test - all it involves is reading the eye chart from a specified distance - but there you go!)
When I started my current job, my company required me to have a medical. (Another thing I can't see the point of. I have no idea how any aspect of the medical could affect my ability to write computer programs. And if my company then rejected me on the basis of the medical, I'm sure it could be classed as discrimination. But I went along anyway.) The doctor asked me how long it was since I'd last seen a doctor. Well, I'd had my class 1 initial at Gatwick just a month earlier, so I told him. It turns out he's an AME, and often does class 1 and class 2 medicals, as well has having a PPL! So we spent the rest of the medical talking about flying! I'll probably go to him for my renewals now... he usually does medicals out of his Gatwick office, but does occassionaly do them out of his office in the City, which is less than 2 minutes walk from my office. I'm sure he won't be cheap, but it's worth paying slightly over the odds to be able to go and get my medical in my lunch break!
FFF
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