RAAF Flight Screening Programme

[Wader2]

Originally Posted by CP_Adi

Cumon guys enuf RAF..lets get the RAAF(yes double"A") convo hapening.Any one thats got something to share about past/current expiriences with RAAF...is a Regret or The best decision you could possibly have made.

I see that CP_Adi already tried to get an answer by starting his own RAAF thread.

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=260160

with:

Hey guys n gals im looking for some advice regarding educational requirements for the RAAF Pilot selection.Ive completed year 12 with a C average all up without Maths but Im soon to start a short course which is equvalent and recognised by RAAF.How would this look and appeal to them.and how am I compared to others applying.The educational part is the only criteria im worried about.

THANKS

Adi

and got a useful piece of advice to look at the relevant website.

Looking at the question though

without Maths but Im soon to start a short course

this is preceived as qualification by drip-feed and often taken as an indication of a capacity to learn problem. How would this look? Not good. 'and appeal to them' Not a lot unless there were positive special circumstances such as no maths teacher available.

[galeforcewind]

Royal Australian Air Force

I am starting the recruitment process for the RAAF, but one thing concerns me....
1. I applied for the RAF a few years ago when I lived in the UK. When I got to Cranwell, I passed eveything except my physical...I was told I could not go any further as I am allergic to peanuts!!????? They knew this weeks before but had obviously not read my medical questionnaire. I was devastated and especially as I have not had an attack since I was 2yrs old I found it all unnecessary...and have never really got over it.
Anyway, i am Australian and have come back and am going to try the RAAF. I am just wondering if anyone knows if i am going to hit a brick wall again. It just seems so unfair because I know the foods to stay away from and although I carry an epipen, i have never had to use it (I am 31). Just wondering if anyone has any inside info, or if anyone has been in this position?
I just don't want to go through the whole thing again to have my heartbroken all over again...I have considered not mentioning it as doesn;t always work in your favour to be honest, especially for a silly reason as that? People must have all sorts of allergies and my friends in the RAF say they know a couple of people with this allergy and as long as it's 'discovered' after joining it seems to be ok???
Am just wondering if anyone knows if the RAAF has different regulations??
Thank you
GFW

[GreenKnight121]

Even if you lie and get in, the fact that it is on record with the RAF means that if they do discover it, you are open to a charge of "fraudulent enlistment", with a possible add-on of "providing false information under oath"... remember the part "I swear (or affirm) this information is true and complete to the best of my knowledge"?

I would expect that if they learn that you had been turned down by the RAF that they will want documentation on what you tell them for the reason, and will check with the RAF to confirm the details if you admit it was a medical rejection.


In this case, contact the regional recruiting headquarters and ask them outright... being fully honest. (the regional has less quota-driven reason to BS you than a local office would)


In many cases, if approached openly, a waiver may be granted for an older person such as yourself, as presumably you are more mature and safety-conscious than a low-20-something... and with such a long period without incident to show your responsibility, they might just surprise you.

[galeforcewind]

Hi GreenKnight

I know you are right and I would not have lied in the end anyhow because I couldn't do that plus I know they will find out through medical records. It's just frustrating after what I went through a few years ago.

Hopefully, as you say they may well surprise me and I hope they do!
If anyone has any info, I would love to hear from them
Thanks

[Pontius Navigator]

Strange, I know someone in the RAF with a nut allergy - non-aircrew though. Were you applying for aircrew when you were rejected? Are the rules perhaps different?

What branch are you considering now?

[galeforcewind]

PN

I was applying for Supply Officer, Ops Officer and Admin Officer.....their reason for rejecting me on the grounds of a nut allergy was if I was deployed somewhere and something happened, the rations (ie biscuits) were made out of peanut oil and had peanuts in them as this was a source of energy???????

Well, I hope that you are right and that they have changed their policies...this was in 2003 I went to Cranwell. i would say the way things are going most people have an allergy to something nowadays and it seems unfair to rule out people with a peanut allergy.

Did your friends know they had nut allergies when they applied? and did they tell the RAF? If so, I guess things have changed and I missed out...hopefully this time will be different.

[galeforcewind]

Oh and I am applying for the same positions now....preferably Air Dispatcher/Movements..

[Lost Again..]

I know aircrew at the moment on Hercs with Lactose/Gluten allergies who have had no problems with the RAAF medical system. They manage their own diets easily. I imagine that these allergies are more difficult to control than a nut allergy. Especially gluten, no beer!!!!!

Talk to the recruiting people. They will definitely clear this up.

[TMJ]

Originally Posted by Pontius Navigator

Strange, I know someone in the RAF with a nut allergy - non-aircrew though. Were you applying for aircrew when you were rejected? Are the rules perhaps different?

Last time I checked the nut allergy bar was for all branches and trades; I understand the theory is the last thing you need on ops is someone going down with an allergic reaction and it's too much trouble to ensure rat packs/locally-sourced food are nut free.

[galeforcewind]

Hi Lost Again..

I definately agree, those allergies are far harder to control than mine, I just stay away from anything that could contain peanuts, it's not rocket science. I have also heard that the air Force are also wanting to start getting different cultures into the Air Force which is great but it will cause a lot of inconvenience with the different religious holidays like ramadan etc and they are quite happy to cater for them! also what about vegetarians etc.

Sorry, i am just getting frustrated again and all remembering all the hurt I wen through. All I can do is ask on the JOES day and keep my fingers crossed!!!

[Pontius Navigator]

TMJ, I don't know if the alleged allergy was a declared allergy, all I know is that he transferred from the Army to the RAF in 2000 as an engineer and has already done one OOA tour in the RAF and earlier ones with the Army.

Ask and you shall receive, don't ask, don't want, don't want, don't get.

[d4v3]

d4v3

I'm going through the recruiting process, I did my advanced medical and I revealed i had a lactose allergy. Its a case by case basis. I had to elaborate on the matter and the doctor made a decision. It was fine by them.

The ADF is very good in this regard I believe as they thoroughly hear you out.

Best of luck with your application.

[galeforcewind]

Thnk you D4, that gives me a bit more confidence. The RAF didn't give me any opportunity to elaborate on my case...it was just no and that's that! What position are you applying for?? Best of luck!!!

[Monty77]

Have you considered a challenge test in hospital under clinical conditions? They start you off with trace of peanut then over the course of a few hours increase exposure. After 29 years, you may have lost the allergy. If you pass a challenge test and it is documented under those conditions, you are no longer allergic. My daughter had a mild reaction aged 2. Challenge test age 11 but unfortunately still reacted at the peanut butter sandwich stage. Epipen deployed, all OK.

I can understand reluctance to go down this route as it may confirm without doubt, an allergy.

[galeforcewind]

Thank you Monty, I have definately thought of going down this route. The thing is I have never had to use my epipen but I have been caught out with a fruit cake. I took one bite and I knew straight away there was something wrong. I found out it had mixed nuts in it, but luckily I didn;t go into anaphylaxis. That was only a couple of years ago so, I do know I still have an allergy but I am just particularly aware now of what i eat and just ask if it has been cooked in peanut oil. This is only asked if it happens to be thai, chinese etc which I don't eat anyway really. The specialist has told me that a peanut allergy is different from other allergies in so far as it actually gets worst as you get older.....but as I have said, I have never had an anaphylactic shock so I just hope that they take that into consideration...

[Wader2]

I was devastated and especially as I have not had an attack since I was 2yrs old I found it all unnecessary...and have never really got over it.

but I have been caught out with a fruit cake. I took one bite and I knew straight away there was something wrong. I found out it had mixed nuts in it, but luckily I didn;t go into anaphylaxis. That was only a couple of years ago so, I do know I still have an allergy but I am just particularly aware now of what i eat and just ask if it has been cooked in peanut oil.

Bit of a contradiction here then?

I have seen recent news that some foods, or food retailers, are warning that although their product is not known to contain nuts they cannot guarantee that to product is not nut contaminated.

As we go to increased factory produced foodstuffs the risk will surely increase. Do Service Rat packs contain the full 'contamination' list the same as commercial products?

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

Originally Posted by galeforcewind

I applied for the RAF a few years ago when I lived in the UK. When I got to Cranwell, I passed eveything except my physical...I was told I could not go any further as I am allergic to peanuts!!?????

What you failed to realise was that the Condition could have sodded up your pay arrangements.

[Wader2]

Originally Posted by GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU

What you failed to realise was that the Condition could have sodded up your pay arrangements.

Subtle .

[galeforcewind]

Wader2

What I mean by an attack is an anaphylactic shock!! I have not been hospitalised due to peanuts since I was two. In 29yrs I have been caught out once...and that wasn't an attacj, i just knew I had had something I shouldn't have, not at death's door!

I guess the rat packs could say that, but these packages are getting completely out of control. If I was as cautious as I really should be i would not be able to eat Anything!! it's all about the companies worrying they will be sued....I mean a jam doghnut says it may contain nuts, but seriously......

[Wader2]

GFW, I am not a doc but I would not be surprised if they took a cautious view of evidence of recent reaction as evidence of continued allergy and high risk.

As has been suggested elsewhere - be open and honest about what is documented about you, if you see what I mean.