Raf Dissapointment
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Raf Dissapointment
just heard back from the RAF that i've not been accepted as a pilot due to hayfever symptoms, i applied for a repeate prescription last year for my dad save him going through it all, and now i cant apply for pilot or wso or any air crew till 2010.
so dissappointed, as i havent taken medication for past 4 years but on medical records it looks like i have, and now been told i cant do it!
is there any other routes or plans of actions i can take against or to reduce this?
is it possible to train as a gunner or some thing and then train as pilot at a later date or not?
any help availible here would be much apprichiated!
rix
so dissappointed, as i havent taken medication for past 4 years but on medical records it looks like i have, and now been told i cant do it!
is there any other routes or plans of actions i can take against or to reduce this?
is it possible to train as a gunner or some thing and then train as pilot at a later date or not?
any help availible here would be much apprichiated!
rix
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Ricky - I'm not sure what you mean by "applied for a repeat prescripton for your dad" - if it was a prescription drug, it should be on your dad's record, not yours, and if you don't require hayfever drugs, your doctor will not be prescribing you drugs you haven't been diagnosed for.
If you don't have hayfever on your medical records, your doctor can confirm this for you, and if you talk to them, they should be willing to write a letter of appeal.
If you DO have hayfever on your medical records, why is it there? If you went in and pretended to have hayfever in order to get hold of a prescription for someone else ... well ... I'm sorry, but no matter what the circumstances, that doesn't really smack of honesty, integrity, or even common sense - you could try coming clean with the doctor, throwing yourself on their mercy, and then getting their help with an appeal, although they might not be very amused!
For help with the hayfever problem, talk to your doctor. For help with alternative careers, talk to your AFCO - they can advise what options are open to you, if you haven't considered alternatives already.
If you don't have hayfever on your medical records, your doctor can confirm this for you, and if you talk to them, they should be willing to write a letter of appeal.
If you DO have hayfever on your medical records, why is it there? If you went in and pretended to have hayfever in order to get hold of a prescription for someone else ... well ... I'm sorry, but no matter what the circumstances, that doesn't really smack of honesty, integrity, or even common sense - you could try coming clean with the doctor, throwing yourself on their mercy, and then getting their help with an appeal, although they might not be very amused!
For help with the hayfever problem, talk to your doctor. For help with alternative careers, talk to your AFCO - they can advise what options are open to you, if you haven't considered alternatives already.
If its any consolation and it was some 20 years ago, I was turned down for a 6th form scholarship and declared permanently unfit for Aircrew. Instead I went to the FAA and got a bursary as a pilot. Due to a variety of reasons, I gambled on getting into crabair, gave up my Navy place and went back to Biggin Hill. Unfortunately they rumbled my ruse and despite telling me that it was not RAF policy to let anyone fly with hayfever, and Navy policy wasn't the same as RAF policy, I argued so vociferously that they said they'd send me to CME. I went there two weeks later, told them I was allergic to the cat and a month later was presented with my joining instructions for IOT. That said, i was a s**t pilot and was chopped. That said, again, I was a great nav (in my own eyes), but was the grounded on another medical technicality (hayfever unrelated might I add!).
My point is thus. Never give up, there is always some way round. Its my own little Douglas Bader tale, and I am rather proud of it, but it took a lot of manipulation of the truth and dogged determination to get there.
The problem is now that if any OASC assessor (or filthy crab doc) is reading this, you're going to have to come up with a better story than being allergic to the cat.
Bonne chance.
My point is thus. Never give up, there is always some way round. Its my own little Douglas Bader tale, and I am rather proud of it, but it took a lot of manipulation of the truth and dogged determination to get there.
The problem is now that if any OASC assessor (or filthy crab doc) is reading this, you're going to have to come up with a better story than being allergic to the cat.
Bonne chance.
Last edited by Maxibon; 20th Sep 2007 at 19:59.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I think Warty has the size of it.
"When first we practise to deceive, oh what a tangled web we weave."
Ricky really you are stuffed if you do and stuffed if you don't.
You will now have to come up with a cracking reason why you went for your dad's prescription. Nothing to do with an under 18 getting a free-prescription by chance and saving £6.83?
Having convinced the doc that your first story was a lie you are now asking him to believe the second is the truth.
Then you have to go to the RAF and say that you lied.
Sorry Ricky, but there are so many people out there without hayfever, without asthma, who are not known to have lied etc etc.
Your best bet is to shut up, take it on the chin, and come back in 2010.
PS
I checked the NHS website on repeat prescriptions
<<The expectation is that the arrangements will be best suited to patients with chronic conditions which are considered likely to remain stable for the duration of the repeatable prescription.>>
The key word here is chronic and likely to remain stable
You have convinced the doctor one way now that it does not suit your career plan . . .
"When first we practise to deceive, oh what a tangled web we weave."
Ricky really you are stuffed if you do and stuffed if you don't.
You will now have to come up with a cracking reason why you went for your dad's prescription. Nothing to do with an under 18 getting a free-prescription by chance and saving £6.83?
Having convinced the doc that your first story was a lie you are now asking him to believe the second is the truth.
Then you have to go to the RAF and say that you lied.
Sorry Ricky, but there are so many people out there without hayfever, without asthma, who are not known to have lied etc etc.
Your best bet is to shut up, take it on the chin, and come back in 2010.
PS
I checked the NHS website on repeat prescriptions
<<The expectation is that the arrangements will be best suited to patients with chronic conditions which are considered likely to remain stable for the duration of the repeatable prescription.>>
The key word here is chronic and likely to remain stable
You have convinced the doctor one way now that it does not suit your career plan . . .
Last edited by Pontius Navigator; 20th Sep 2007 at 19:25.
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I am sorry, ricky-wannabe that the hay fever apparently ruled you out. From previous experience I might feel that there also may have been other reasons, just read through your forum entry as though you were on the selection board and compare it with the replies you have received, punctuation and spelling OK?, thought gone into layout?. Oh and a little research would tell you there have not been aircrew gunners for many a year.
I may have been a little harsh but the competition is fierce so these things matter. Concentrate on the detail and you will best promote your obvious enthusiasm.
I may have been a little harsh but the competition is fierce so these things matter. Concentrate on the detail and you will best promote your obvious enthusiasm.
Whilst at the risk of sounding controversial, the sanctimonious replies by Warty and Pontious astound me.
Think back - getting in to fulfill the dream of a lifetime was everything, or at least it was for me at the age of 19. If getting through the process involved the odd lie to get through the procedure then it strikes me as showing determination, cunning and initiative. To counter your points:
1. It never ceased to amaze me, the number of aircrew who suddenly developed hayfever during flying training.
2. To criticise the chap's spelling smacks of a sanctimonious view that trandscends the very nature of this website. I would be the first to admit that the majority of my flight, including me, were appalling at service writing in IOT but given we were going GD, this was washed over, by and large. I was there to learn and I still get by, albeit in a different service now.
Cut the guy some slack. As aircrew, we are, or have been, members of a privelidged club. Try and encourage others to achieve the standards we did - none of us were perfect, and as my records used to show, I was far from it.
Think back - getting in to fulfill the dream of a lifetime was everything, or at least it was for me at the age of 19. If getting through the process involved the odd lie to get through the procedure then it strikes me as showing determination, cunning and initiative. To counter your points:
1. It never ceased to amaze me, the number of aircrew who suddenly developed hayfever during flying training.
2. To criticise the chap's spelling smacks of a sanctimonious view that trandscends the very nature of this website. I would be the first to admit that the majority of my flight, including me, were appalling at service writing in IOT but given we were going GD, this was washed over, by and large. I was there to learn and I still get by, albeit in a different service now.
Cut the guy some slack. As aircrew, we are, or have been, members of a privelidged club. Try and encourage others to achieve the standards we did - none of us were perfect, and as my records used to show, I was far from it.
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Ricky
Sorry chap, I am afraid I agree with most of those who have commented. My advice would be to re-apply as an ATC or FC, and serve the time until you can re-apply for pilot. This would enable the RAF to have a long look at you and see that you remain hayfever free for the required period.
If you qualify as a controller, you will be a better pilot for it. If I were assessing your future application, I would see this as demonstrating your commitment.
I am sure there are those who will argue that if you have to fly you have to fly, and the civvy route may well suit you better - on the other hand, I doubt there is any comparison between fast jet mil flying and 'bus-driving' a 737 from Luton to wherever 4-times a week.
STH
Sorry chap, I am afraid I agree with most of those who have commented. My advice would be to re-apply as an ATC or FC, and serve the time until you can re-apply for pilot. This would enable the RAF to have a long look at you and see that you remain hayfever free for the required period.
If you qualify as a controller, you will be a better pilot for it. If I were assessing your future application, I would see this as demonstrating your commitment.
I am sure there are those who will argue that if you have to fly you have to fly, and the civvy route may well suit you better - on the other hand, I doubt there is any comparison between fast jet mil flying and 'bus-driving' a 737 from Luton to wherever 4-times a week.
STH
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Raf Dissapointment
RAF disappointed at general standard of applicants
S_H
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Maxibon, you may have got in by fair means or foul. Ricky failed. Ricky lied. Ricky has been caught out.
Now if Ricky tries to correct the lies then he will reveal himself as a liar. He is on a no-win situation. His best bet is to shut up.
Sorry, if might sound sanctimonius but when I joined the aircrew input exceeded 120 per month. Now it is about than 120 per year. Applicants educational qualifications have never been higher. If follows that only the very best will be accepted.
OK, don't shoot me, just quoting a line.
Now if Ricky tries to correct the lies then he will reveal himself as a liar. He is on a no-win situation. His best bet is to shut up.
Sorry, if might sound sanctimonius but when I joined the aircrew input exceeded 120 per month. Now it is about than 120 per year. Applicants educational qualifications have never been higher. If follows that only the very best will be accepted.
OK, don't shoot me, just quoting a line.
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Originally Posted by BYALPHAINDIA
Are the 'Gods' in Cranwell immune to Hayfever??
We get summer colds....
Edited to add: Maxibon, I'm afraid I agree with PN etc. If he want's to get in then he needs to take the delay on the chin, not try to weedle his way in by a back door or technicality.
PN
Ricky's lies are Ricky's lies. If he's stuffed it for himself then that's his problem. My argument is and always has been the RAF's attitude to hayfever and the number that got through. I cocked up initially because I admitted I had it at 16 - I had no advice not to say that I didn't back then. If Ricky can find a way through then he has my full support. There are times and places to adapt the truth and trying to get in by denying such a ridiculous allergy is fully acceptable in my books - there are plenty of pills out there to reduce the effects and as I said before, the number of aircrew who suddenly developed it after OASC always amused me. I withdraw my use of the word sanctimonious as I would hate to cause any ill feeling.
As to shooting you, I would not dream of doing such a thing - I now have a gunner to see to that side of the business!
Ricky's lies are Ricky's lies. If he's stuffed it for himself then that's his problem. My argument is and always has been the RAF's attitude to hayfever and the number that got through. I cocked up initially because I admitted I had it at 16 - I had no advice not to say that I didn't back then. If Ricky can find a way through then he has my full support. There are times and places to adapt the truth and trying to get in by denying such a ridiculous allergy is fully acceptable in my books - there are plenty of pills out there to reduce the effects and as I said before, the number of aircrew who suddenly developed it after OASC always amused me. I withdraw my use of the word sanctimonious as I would hate to cause any ill feeling.
As to shooting you, I would not dream of doing such a thing - I now have a gunner to see to that side of the business!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
My argument is and always has been the RAF's attitude to hayfever and the number that got through. I cocked up initially because I admitted I had it at 16 - I had no advice not to say that I didn't back then.
As to shooting you, I would not dream of doing such a thing - I now have a gunner to see to that side of the business!
As to shooting you, I would not dream of doing such a thing - I now have a gunner to see to that side of the business!
As for asthma and hayfever, there I agree with you. Mind you I couldn't spell either when I was at school so it was never a problem
A few years ago, several tours in, the SMO gave me a ventiline inhaler. I think it was a new toy and he wanted to see what it would do. I consulted my resident medical expert and I think we left it in a drawer. Too many Docs just seem to try things to get the patient throughput.
I would be the first to admit that the docs are not my favourite individuals but that was a long time in the past and I hold no grudge.
The rumour perpetuated that docs were always gunning for aircrew and that I do not believe. To do your (and my former) role, one had to be in outstanding physical nick but there are certain factors that can be ignored or treated, low level asthma and hayfever being examples. If I remember rightly, wasn't it the 43 Sqn JP & JN who were given a practice scramble in Gulf '91 in NBC kit and failed to make it to the jet. Fitness for the job is far more important. We allow contacts and glasses to fly, why not anti histamines.
Yawn..even starting to bore myself now.....
The rumour perpetuated that docs were always gunning for aircrew and that I do not believe. To do your (and my former) role, one had to be in outstanding physical nick but there are certain factors that can be ignored or treated, low level asthma and hayfever being examples. If I remember rightly, wasn't it the 43 Sqn JP & JN who were given a practice scramble in Gulf '91 in NBC kit and failed to make it to the jet. Fitness for the job is far more important. We allow contacts and glasses to fly, why not anti histamines.
Yawn..even starting to bore myself now.....
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Its the old old story. If you are less than 100% when you start you will reach the knackered old sh1t stage sooner than someone who starts fit.
Once you have acquired alue to the services then they will provide the prosthetics necessary to get their pint of blood, and avoid disablity pension.
Have you seen the new rules on hearing test results?
Once you have acquired alue to the services then they will provide the prosthetics necessary to get their pint of blood, and avoid disablity pension.
Have you seen the new rules on hearing test results?
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you know what, i cant be F***ing arsed with half you lot.
i guarentee you give me the right training, ill learn it, and fly any plane u put me in, to the standard or better than anyone else in the group.
you dnt give me the oppertunity, then you lose out on a A1 potential pilot, and my commitment as well as destroy a child hood dream.
i dont come on here to take a patronisination, or to seek guidence on my computer literacy skills........ i come on here to SEEK ADVICE AND HELP in my career!
but seems that theres few un-willing to do this!
it was a repeat prescription for me, as i sufferred for a week and thought it would be sensible, however it seemed to die down while my dad was still suffering, so i gave him my medication to help him!
didnt realise taking from the fortunate and giving to the poor was a moral crime!
think you would be quite happy to give your mum your light bulb if hers blew and it was you getting the sun light through your window, wouldnt you?
you know what, dont bother replying anymore to this post, i dont want to know what you got to say!
i guarentee you give me the right training, ill learn it, and fly any plane u put me in, to the standard or better than anyone else in the group.
you dnt give me the oppertunity, then you lose out on a A1 potential pilot, and my commitment as well as destroy a child hood dream.
i dont come on here to take a patronisination, or to seek guidence on my computer literacy skills........ i come on here to SEEK ADVICE AND HELP in my career!
but seems that theres few un-willing to do this!
it was a repeat prescription for me, as i sufferred for a week and thought it would be sensible, however it seemed to die down while my dad was still suffering, so i gave him my medication to help him!
didnt realise taking from the fortunate and giving to the poor was a moral crime!
think you would be quite happy to give your mum your light bulb if hers blew and it was you getting the sun light through your window, wouldnt you?
you know what, dont bother replying anymore to this post, i dont want to know what you got to say!
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oohhhhhhhh somebodies got their knickers in a twist. Calm down ricky it might set your sneezing off. Can you explain the light bulb thing please?
well you came to the wrong place then ricky.
i dont come on here to take a patronisination