Holiday cheer from your Medical Department
 

Nice to see the finger is probing just a little deeper into our lives. I especially like the subtle reminder about vacation libation.

I guess a certain champagne video really got under someones skin.. Sorry, bad choice of words.

Look crisp, sharp and ready for duty chaps. Eyes are everywhere!

Wow!

CDT checks and liver function tests can put you in the sin-bin if fleet, HR, training, CC reports, crewing....... don't.

Makes a high BMI look like a better option :}

halas

???

What's all this?

If Ek wouldn't give us so much ****, we wouldn't need to drink that much to forget...
:ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh::ugh:
Another christmas joke, the list is getting long for December only. Can't wait 2015!!

Hehe you said Holiday "cheer".......clever

Not being privy to the email, is this some sort of new GCAA requirement, or just one within EK ?

That's it's, I'm over it. Merry Christmas every one.

Looks like a GCAA requirement rather than something EK have made up. It is a little concerning that "3rd party reports" are enough to get you dragged in for a battery of tests which are potentially career ending. Looks to me like one Grade 2 out to make a name for themselves could cause somebody no end of grief. "When I was in the bar on a layover nursing my orange juice it seemed like the Captain was having a lot to drink...."

Big G, you mean you quaff "coping fluid" both in the presence of our lovely, trust-worthy, butter wouldn't melt in my sweet mouth CC, in the hotel Bar? brave man indeed. Me, if I decide I require rehydration, it will be well away from the prying eyes of "Suzie" or "Agnes" :ok:

Me? Never. However some people are a little innocent in the ways of the company.

Totally correct from the above two posters.

So, how would you know if you are above or below this CDT limit. And why is it any concern of the CGAA or EK if I get absolutely plastered every day on my vacation, as long as I do not consume within 12 hours of duty and of course is below the blood alcohol limit at actual time of testing?

Seriously lads, what is the problem, go off on a wine tour, get plastered, come back get tested and get an extra 2 weeks off the roster to recover from your holidays, what's not to love about that :} :rolleyes:

Those two weeks will be occupied by a battery of further tests possibly followed by termination, so perhaps not such a restful break.

And try applying for a job elsewhere with 'medical suspended due alcohol issues' even though you have done nothing wrong.

Maybe that's what EK want - unemployable elsewhere!

It will be interesting to see how quickly this new 'rule' gets rescinded, i.e. when aircraft are being parked for lack of crews to fly them, i.e. as a result of us having partied too hard when on leave... and, fwiw, I too fail to see how this fits with the 12 hour & BAC rules which have served so well for so long?

Coincidentally, based upon data revealed in a presentation article by that said same AME (Dr Fiona Rennie), this certainly seems to be a sledgehammer to crack a nut:

http://asmameeting.org/asma2013_mp/p...resent_150.pdf

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!!!!! STOP PRESS !!!!!.... Someone has just forwarded me the email:

ALCOHOL MISUSE

The GCAA are amending their Aeromedical regulations and these become effective from 01 January 2015.

Amongst the changes, the following regulations referring to Alcohol Misuse have been introduced.

Alcohol screening will be required for the following situations:

i. Screening as part of age 60 medical certification
ii. As part of the medical evaluation as determined by the AME during the regulatory medical examination (e.g. in cases of cardiac arrhythmia, insomnia, chronic headache, depression/anxiety, liver disease and cases of uncontrolled hypertension/diabetes or increased suspicion especially in those with a family history of addiction)
iii. Referral following an aviation incident or work related issue
iv. 3rd party notifications for suspected drug or alcohol misuse

Emirates is also required to randomly screen 20% of operating crew for drugs and alcohol.

Alcohol Screening requires a detailed medical history and examination, questionnaire and laboratory tests. The laboratory tests required by the new regulation are:

i. GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase): An enzyme produced by the liver and increases with alcohol use. However it is not a specific marker and can be elevated in other conditions.
ii. MCV (mean corpuscular volume): The size of the red blood cells increase with excessive alcohol consumption but like GGT can be elevated with other conditions.
iii. CDT (carbohydrate deficient transferrin): CDT is more specific to alcohol use and may be elevated with the consumption of> 4 or 5 standard drinks per day for two weeks or more. It is an important marker for alcohol use disorder. The new regulation states that any elevation of CDT requires immediate grounding, a liver ultrasound to assess for biliary disease and a full report from a substance abuse specialist regarding alcohol intake.

Previously, Emirates AMEs have been able to assess and monitor pilots with an abnormal CDT level, usually without grounding or involving assessment by a substance abuse specialist. This flexibility has been removed and from 01 January onwards, any pilot with an elevated CDT will automatically be grounded.

Unfortunately, blood tests after vacation sometimes show an elevated CDT level, so what you may feel is a normal alcohol intake on vacation could result in license suspension if you were to be tested in the following weeks.

The new regulations contain a detailed protocol for rehabilitation/treatment/reinstatement and follow-up. The GCAA have advised that any pilot who voluntarily asks for assistance with their use of alcohol should be assessed, treated (if required) and their medical certificate will be reinstated provided they comply with the requirements. The GCAA will not guarantee that this will be the case for those identified during testing but who have not declared that they are drinking to excess.

In addition, pilots not attending for mandated follow-up (AME review, laboratory tests, specialist review) at the specified time, risk the removal of their medical certificate.

Dr Fiona Rennie - VP Aviation Medicine

Its a shame that the EK doctors are not subject to the same scrutiny, they make not be flying aircraft but they are still making potentially important decisions and subject to impairment by alcohol.
Not that this will happen, its not about fairness its about control.

I do love it when a fat doctor gives you the 'BMI' chat, what an effing joke.

Gee hair over 30BMI ..'I can't issue your medical today'.....?? .. 'ehhh' (me) .....'present yourself to SZR walk-in clinic for bloods and let's do the sleep/snoring questionnaire'........'ehhhh??? (me)... 'email me when you've done the bloods'.....next day emailed him done...no reply...medical ready for collection...restrictions 'Nil'

WTF??

:{

Ps doc you could lose a few yourself

If it's GCAA mandated, OKC, then you should see some similar advice soon issued to FD pilots.