Unfortunately, that's not how it works. As you mentioned, the virus is dormant. While it may increase your antibody titre, it won't affect the virus already present in your neurons.

Shingles doesn't emerge from external challenge with the virus. It comes from the virus already in your system going lytic. Outside chickenpox won't affect whether or not you get shingles.

The main reason to have children vaccinated for chickenpox is that the virus won't be able to establish itself in the child, hence the risk of getting shingles becomes zero.

Varicella can make you feel terrible, it did me. And, as my wedding photo's will testify, it stopped me and Mrs Ginge going on honey-moon.

However, despite the text books warning of potentioal complications (encephalopathy, pneumonia etc), the effects are generally self limiting.

I suspect the main reason for vaccination is to protect pregnant ladies who have never been exposed to the virus, and the immuno-compromised.

:)

4 main issues longer term.

1. recurrence of post herpetic neuralgia - this nerve pain may be disabling for flying duties for variable periods
2. The effect of pain medication for 1) on your flying clearance.
3. Note there is some evidence that a Herpes Zoster vaccination will boost your immunity and lower the rate of reactivation of the virus
4. In some immunosuppressed people it may indicate another underlying problem such as a haematological cancer, diabetes etc.