Cabin Crew with HIV?

[Xtra Crew]

Is it a no-go being HIV positive to join the airlines as cabin crew?
In Europe there shouldnt be any discrimination about that...

[Re-Heat]

Broad equirements: www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/FOD200816.pdf

I would expect that due to the international nature of the work, that companies may legally discriminate to comply with laws of countries to which they fly, which themselves may be discriminatory.

[swordsman]

I seem to remember it is a requirement to have a yellow fever vaccination.Should you happen to be hiv + when you have this vaccination you risk serious health problems.Hence the requirement

[flapsforty]

Hi Xtra, an initial-course mate of mine has been flying with HIV, world wide long haul, for 12 years. It takes self discipline and a great deal of will power, but he has never had a problem with either the company, vaccinations or foreign authorities.
He got infected while he already was an FA, so that doesn\t answer your question, but may be of interest to you.
If you have a specific company in mind, perhaps you should make direct inquiries there? It would be more exact than answers here. :)
Via a friend if you do not want them to have your name on file.


Some related reading: link (http://www.unison.org.uk/features/features.asp?did=3291)

[wish_2_fly]

It also depends what company and country you would be based in. For example UAE is HIV free and anyone who has it is unable to get a residency visa. Emirates is definitely a no-no probably most of middle east based airlines are.

[gadgetman]

For example UAE is HIV free

No it isn't, not by a long shot. Expats are tested for HIV/AIDS and will be deported if found to be positive, but the UAE is by no means HIV free.

[sistem]

that's true! we all had to do the medical tests before we joined Etihad including HIV test. I've even heard that a cabin crew got fired from work after she got the disease long after she was employed by Etihad.

[AirSurfer]

in response to the yellow fever vaccination and being hiv positive, a bit long winded but it gives a good answer at the end

p>The yellow fever vaccine is effective and safe in HIV-positive individuals with a CD4 cell count above 200 cells/mm3, according to a retrospective French study published in the March 25th edition of AIDS.

Yellow fever is a potentially fatal mosquito-borne viral infection which can be effectively prevented with the yellow fever 17D vaccine. However, as this is a live-attenuated vaccine, there have been concerns that it cannot be safely given to HIV-positive individuals, as there is a theoretical risk of prolonged yellow fever virus replication, which could infect the brain and cause organ damage. In addition, a study in asymptomatic HIV-positive children suggested that the yellow fever vaccine might not provide effective immunisation.

In 2002, however, it was recommended in the US that HIV-positive individuals with CD4 cell counts above 200 cells/mm3 should be vaccinated if travelling to Africa or South America ,where yellow fever is endemic.

French investigators conducted a retrospective study involving twelve HIV-positive individuals who received the 17D yellow fever vaccine prior to travel between 1995 and 2002, to see if the vaccination produced an effective antibody response and was well tolerated.

Nine of the patients were women, and the mean age was 39 years. Two individuals had been diagnosed with an AIDS-defining illness prior to being vaccinated against yellow fever. At the time of vaccination, mean CD4 cell count was 561 cells/mm3, and mean viral load was 5,477 copies/ml. Nine patients were taking antiretroviral therapy at the time of immunization, and five had a viral load below 200 copies/ml.

All the patients developed a good immune response to the vaccine, with a mean yellow fever neutralizing antibody titre of 1/40. CD4 cell counts and viral load tests were available for ten patients three months after the use of the vaccine. There was no significant change in CD4 cell count (p=0.6), or viral load (p=0.2) from baseline, and all five patients who had an undetectable viral load at baseline remained undetectable after receiving the vaccine.

One patient developed a transient fever and sore throat five days after receiving the vaccine. No serious adverse events were recorded.

The investigators conclude yellow fever vaccine “appears to be safe and effective in HIV-infected patients with CD4 cell counts above 200 cells/mm3, even if they have previously developed AIDS or if their viral load is above 10,000 copies/ml.”

[newbagr]

lemac,this airline sets a good example of a good employer? Would u mind telling us what this airline is?

[Coco_Crew]

There crew who are HIV positive - you just not aware of it unless the person tells you.

I do not think it should be a problem if you have HIV and want to fly. I just think people should discriminate less against those with the virus, it's already hard for these people.

Anyway - there are people living with this virus for over 20 years and they look like humans.

I just do not understand why the ME carriers discriminate against people with HIV - I am sure they have crew flying who are positive but to afraid to lose thier jobs.

I know people living with the virus and it does not scare me - it just hurts when people discriminate against them.

[bluestar1980]

I'm a nurse and we have doctors at my australian hospital who are HIV+, just not allowed in theatre. dont see why airlines should be any different!

[Scooby-Doo]

www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/FOD200816.pdf (http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/FOD200816.pdf)

[VS-Toga]

A number of points...

I am gay, but to the best of my knowledge, and as of 2 months ago, neg.

1. You cannot make any generalisations- HIV viral loads and CD cell count vary greatly and they will determine people's health, whether they need ARV drugs and so on. A lot of + people have such a ridicu,ously low infection that they could drink yellow fever until the cows cam home and nothing would happen to them!
2. I'd be disappointed if HIV status was an issue in any way as it does not affect ability to do the job, end of story.
3. Bear in mind that a lot of crew are gay men, and one gay man in 3 is +. Do the math.
4. HIV is on the increase 8 times faster in the str8 community than the gay community.
5. ME carriers- it's their call. After all, at the risk of being called racist (which I am not) a lot of ME cultures are in the stone ages IMO, so why should this be different? I know QR guys that could never admit to their sexuality for the fear of the sack, one of whom, like me, is FD.

[Reluctant737]

Next time, make sure they wear a condom!

Bloody hell, look after yourself, there's a lot of nasty things out there just waiting to get you!

I know, it's not everybody's specific case, and I feel particularly for those who are infected through unfortunate contact with a needle without their realising.

I don't say this to try and rub anything in, but being HIV+ isn't simply a case of 'you have it or you don't', as I'm sure you well know. Further exposure worsens the situation, so from now on, if this is relevant to you, take the proper precautions! I'm pretty clued up on all this because a very close friend of mine is gay and was tested positive a few months ago, silly fecker!

Safe times, ad :ok:

[VS-Toga]

Next time, make sure they wear a condom!

Not quite as easy as that. There are some very easy ways to get infected without full sex

but being HIV+ isn't simply a case of 'you have it or you don't', as I'm sure you well know. Further exposure worsens the situation,

Very true.

[emphar]

can somebody please advise me of the following.

which medical institution on this earth. Please name specifically, including doctor time place etc has ever proven the "Hypothesis" that hiv causes aids?

Maybe we should create a reward of 1 million dollars to the person that can enlighten us on this information.

thanks

[flyblue]

Please don't reply to emphar's post here. I copied it as a thread on the Medical and Health Forum.
http://www.pprune.org/medical-health/364149-hiv-aids.html

[Michael SWS]

Bear in mind that a lot of crew are gay men, and one gay man in 3 is +. Do the math.I'm afraid your own math is incorrect on this one: the rate of HIV infection amongst gay men is nowhere near 1 in 3.

Nationally (in the UK) it is estimated that approximately 1 in 20 gay men has HIV. In London, it may be as high as 1 in 10, reflecting the very different lives of gay men in the cities to those of gay men in rural areas.

One in three gay men with HIV is unaware of the fact, which is where you might have got your own figure from.

[northern-light]

In the case of the EK and EY, it is the laws of the UAE that prevents HIV+ people to live in the country, as they will not be allowed to obtain or to renew a residence visa. If you work for either of these carriers, you will be based in the UAE, and therefore you need this visa... No visa, no job!
Everybody gets tested before a visa is issued, and again when it is time for the renewal.

[CaptWUFF]

There are two sides to this questions:

PRO - There should not be a problem because HIV + people can take almost any other job, why not cabin crew? It would be quite unfair, but many countries in Asia and the middle east are just not fair!

Against - Well, I am a pilot, and we can't have HIV and fly so why should our coworkers? Further, there is lots of "sleeping around" in the airlines. So the airline may have a concern that others int he airline would get infected. I guess this could be an argument with any company, and probably not a very fair or legitimate argument.

I personally believe HIV + people should not be restricted to work in the airline, and it should remain confidential that they have it if they so desire to maintain that stance.

Capt WUFF

[boardingpass]

Further, there is lots of "sleeping around" in the airlines. So the airline may have a concern that others in the airline would get infected.

By this logic, shouldn't universities ban HIV+ people from attending college too?

HIV status is a private matter and an airline need not concern itself with it.

[emphar]

so did anyone win the million dollar jackpot?

how can you talk about this subject matter without the facts. it seems that pilots now know more about hiv than the worlds best virologists?

please keep this post, so you can refer back to it when the hiv/aids bull shxx is announced as the worlds greatest hoax.

[malc4d]

Well l have to say that l dont think that having HIV or aids is a "private" thing....
Just as in any sexually transmitted disease (except this will most prob. end up killing you ) it does concern the other person involved. I hope that the infected at least inform the 'other' person before hand.

[veryEZYboy]

Actually HIV in the western world is no longer a terminal condition as the drugs available now will allow you to live a full life. The difference is that you'll have to make changes to your lifestyle in that you should try and live a healthy one and obviously refrain from unprotected sex.

[CaptWUFF]

Yeah, look at Magic johnson. Though I doubt he ever applied for a position as a FA, he had to stop playing basketball. I think you you are not physically fit to play basketball, you shouldn't be an FA!

[flapsforty]

Wuff, that is complete and utter rubbish.

FAs have to be fit enough and strong enough to open aircraft doors in an emergency (which on many types have power assist) and to conduct an evacuation in an emergency.
Maneuvering trolleys, shifting containers and carrying their own suitcases, opening and closing aircraft doors under normal conditions all require a minimum level of fitness.

A level of fitness that pales into complete insignificance when compared to what is required of a professional athlete like Magic Johnson.

Wuff, this is a forum for professional cabin crew; it requires a minimum of brain engagement before you post. ;)

[CaptWUFF]

sorry! Didn't mean to offend you! I was just saying....in some countries they fire you if you gain weight or deduct your pay. Not quite the american or European way!

[CaptWUFF]

oh and but the way it is Professional PILOT rumor network..not Professional Cabin Crew Rumor network :)

[arth77]

QANTAS is notorious for employing gay male stewards who all transited thru san francisco when AIDS was first reported, the number of them who died from AIDS is speculated about but generally the subject is too politically incorrect to mention

hopefully they are now more cautious sexually

[yaletown]

I think whoever started this thread was probably wanting to know what airlines test for HIV. I know when I was hired by BA they did, but not sure if they still do. I had heard whilst I was there, they had changed their policy and would hire HIV+ people for short haul only, but this was a rumour at that time.

I imagine there are other airlines in the UK that do not HIV test; in North America (Canada and the US) it is against the law to do so. If anyone can clarify which airlines test and which ones do not, I think it would be more helpful to the person who started the thread.

[yaletown]

This may be helpful:

http://www.pprune.org/cabin-crew/222043-cabin-crew-medical.html

Apparently BA has done away with the medical. God it was so extensive!

[MarkLHR]

Last I heard, Air France still do 6 monthly tests on crew. Anyone with HIV is out the door.

[stilton]

Interesting post,

Captainwuff, i'm a Pilot as well and have never seen any restriction against a Pilot flying with HIV.


As long as he / she is under treatment and does not develop Aids I don't see a problem.



In fact, since no test is done for the Virus how would anyone know ?

[jasperzone]

Does anyone know which European airlines accept HIV positif? Thank you.