Delayed First Class Medical
 

Hi guys,

I have an assessment with Cathay Pacific in August and I recently undertook the Initial Class 1 medical at Gatwick in London. There was one issue, the ECG came back with an abnormality which probably will require further testing (there was no cardiologist on the day to decide the next action)

My question is whether I should tell Cathay this during my assessment that the medical certificate is delayed. It will probably make me a less desirable candidate?

It's really worrying me since I have never had any trouble with my heart. I am a very active and healthy person with no illnesses so I'm really confused to why my ECG is showing an abnormality. Can people still be issued a class 1 if they can prove with further testing that my bodily functions are normal even with an abnormal ECG?

Thank you for your help.

Cathay does an ECG on the interview anyway to get you a CAD medical. If they ask you, then I certainly would tell them and let them decide.

Delayed First Class Medical
 

No point worrying - many pilots have abnormal ECGs for various reasons and these can be easily cleared after another ECG. Definitely disclose this issue IF asked - starting your career with a lie wouldn't be a good idea! Good luck!

Abnormality is not really the best word to describe such issues on an ECG, that would be normal for you and probably 30% of the population. The software in the machine is not that smart.

The only written disclosure that you are asked to make is if you have had ever had a medical denied, at this stage that is not the case. With all probability you will get the medical, just a protracted length of time. Try and clear it up before the interview.

I would not mention it unless specifically asked. If you are asked, have the CAA clearance with you in your bag.

.....thread drift alert: You mentioned career, I didn't know that was available at CX anymore ? :cool:

I know its difficult to Not think about the ECG issue, as it niggles constantly on your mind, and Im sure one of the reasons you have posted here is to look for some sort of support. As the others say don't worry about it. Many pilots have abnormal ECGs, and I am one. I told CX about it years ago. The Good Dr at the time looked at my ECG and said we will never mention this again, and shoved the report in the back draw.

Does CX know that you have a class1 medical, or applied for one? Do you require a Class 1 medical before coming to HK for assessment? If the answer is NO, I personally would not openly report to Cathay your problem, let them find it out IF they come across it.

Now wither Cathay is a career move is another thread.

Good Luck, stay positive and don't loose sleep over your ECG there isn't much you can do about it at the moment.

ECG
 

A colleague renewed his Class 1 in the UK prior to coming to CX for an interview. No problems. The CX ECG spat out a problem. "t rhythm anomaly' or something. He had to have another ECG back in the UK with a cardiologist. Cost him £450. The specialist said there was nothing wrong with either the CX print out or the one just done. He was embarrassed to take the money.

Speaking to the Docs here it's commonplace. You don't need the medical, unless you have other reasons to renew, as you must have one here.

I wouldn't lose sleep, especially as you said no cardiologist was present. It's probably just the machine.

Yes Arfur what can I do for you?

Would you Einsteins kindly mind letting CX do their own recruiting? Many of your comments are encouraging ayau813 to come interview. We don't have a hiring ban, but why make it an easier for the Company? Let them answer the questions the applicant has. Are we in an industrial dispute or not? CC or not? Training ban or not? FFS guys! It's not that hard. Turn your phone off, stop checking crew direct every five minutes, and pop some corn. Watching CX shuffle deck chairs on the Titanic is actually good fun. Crewing, training, aircraft deliveries, recruitment, retention... It's all going our way. The court cases are really piling up as well. By my count, CX faces(d) litigation in HKG, Canada, New Zealand, and now Paris. Standby for more in the UK over SHP and the U.S. for age discrimination, again.

Thanks for the information and reassurance guys. I have a medical form to fill and hand in for the assessment which has a question "have you ever been refused or delayed the issue of a medical certificate". As Black sheep one said I don't want to begin with a lie so I feel I have to disclose it...just worries me that the recruiting department will read it and throw my application in the bin.

I'm still waiting to hear back from the cardiologist but I had my paramedic friend who looked at it and said yes, it is not 'normal'. But he did say that even an 'abnormal ecg' may be 'normal' for me with further testing. Is this true? Can an abnormal ecg be completely normal and pose no health threat for some people?

Thanks for the help.

Yes absolutely, I have had those pesky ECG machines print out saying I was dead on numerous occasions. Numerous times saying I am or just had or having a heart attack.

I never knew the machines had an issue with me until 15+ years after my first medical, and it was explained to me what they were seeing is normal for me, it is the same every time.

It takes some skill to understand what those print outs actually say, that is where the specialist comes in. What the machine says is abnormal maybe normal for 30% of the population.

On the plus side, if they have identified a real issue, that may have saved your life.