Alcohol use and CAA
 

Hi,

Following months and months of waiting for the CAA to pull their finger out and deal with my application, they've found me unfit for Class 1 due to alcohol use.

I'm a moderate drinker, it has never affected my ability to live a normal life and do a normal job, yet they won't grant me the medical unless I become teetotal

I'm absolutely appauled that they're treating me as if I'm an alcoholic! Has anyone else been in this position before?

The only reason alcohol is even mentioned on my doctors record is due to short periods of excessive consumption due to depression (which I haven't suffered from for over three years)

How do they actually intend to prove if you’re tee total or not? Apart from some form of 24 hr video surveillance surely they would just have to take your word for the fact that you weren’t drinking? Or have I missed something.

They are insisting on blood tests every few months (which I'll have to pay for!)

So if you don’t have a problem why not just comply ?

Interesting. You appear to consider that being an airline pilot is also just a normal job with a normal lifestyle.

It’s often said that the last person to recognise they have an addiction is the addict. If you don’t like complying with rules, flying is not the career for you.

Rule number 1 ; you cant fight the CAA.
Their default position is “ No “.
If they have decided you have a problem , you have a problem.
Just do what you are told.
Makes life much easier.

So how long are they insisting that you demonstrate abstinence for?

What do you define as a 'moderate'? What's your daily consumption like?

Slipstream86

Permanent!

750XL

I drink 3-4 cans of light beer (3.5%) most night of the week.

Yes, it's more than the recommended amount, but it's by no means a lot, and if far less than many airline pilots I know

stilton

Errr, because I don't want to, and I think it's completely unreasonable for them to make that demand

Could I strongly suggest you reach out and contact the Pilot Assistance Network and talk to one of the trained peer pilots who can discuss this with you in confidence.

it won’t cost you anything and will provide better advice snd support than you can get on PPRuNe.

NHS recommends no more than 14 units a week. Anymore should be a warning of developing alcohol related illnesses. You sure your not in denial?

​​​​They recommend a lot of things, many of which are ignored by most of the population.

I know I drink more than is recommended, it's my guilty pleasure. I don't smoke, I keep active, I eat reasonably healthily, and my alcohol consumption is perfectly well controlled.

​​​​

Seems a bit harsh, they couldn't possibly police that and it seems a slightly absurd suggestion to me. Perhaps their time would be better spent fixing the BS that is the UK CAA these days.

That’s a rather a generalise statement. Can you justify it?

Would you care to educate the readers here with the a definition of alcoholism and an alcoholic?

I came here for support from fellow pilots, not to be judged and questioned by someone who seems to have jumped to conclusions. At least the CAA had some background info before they did that...

No support or sympathy from me.

Wow... What an attitude to have...

This is the second thread in the last few days that looks a lot like a wind up to me. To my knowledge, the CAA have never insisted that any pilot is teetotal. I've flown with thousands over the last 35 years and I've never heard of anyone being told they have to give up alcohol. I think there is more to this....please tell.

Nope, absolutely definitely not a wind up.

This is exactly what I received from the CAA medical assessor yesterday.

Take a look at their alcohol/drug use flowchart, it's on their website.

Do the CAA ask for your doctors records as a SOP nowadays?

Or did you tell them you drank too much (in their eyes)?