The Medical Exam

Thr-Bird · Post by **Thr-Bird** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:19 pm

Ok, so next tuesday I will attempt the Class 1 Medical certificate for the very first time. I've never been to a medical exam with TC before and I'm asking if anybody has any suggestions about the exam.

What exactly is it gonna happen when i walk the door of Mr. doctor that I choose randomly on the TC list available on the net (I'm in Montreal)? Anything I should say/not to say? Like should i tell him i don't drink at all? Is he gonna make me piss in a cup? Am I gonna get interviewed on my situation right now, do I work, do I go to school, why I want to start taking flight lessons etc... what's my medical record? (I had mild pancreatitis in 2004)

I read on James Ball's book (great read btw) about avoiding sexual activity and excessive drinking a few days before, while i understand the drinking the sex part I don't.

I'm 24 yo, in good health, i don't wear glasses, i see every color clearly and i can hear well so I don't see why I shouldn't pass the exam but still... i'm just a little nervous, that's all.

Thanks in advance!

THEICEMAN · Post by **THEICEMAN** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:31 pm

i see every color clearly

Beware! I thought so too until I got those stupid ishara cards which I could barely read.

I was almost restricted for fly night until I went to transport to do the beyne lantern test, which I passed.

I could see every colour, but apparently I had some trouble with green....don't know why? I see the green lights at the airport perfectly during night.

Adam Oke · Post by **Adam Oke** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:41 pm

You walk in to the Office. They will ask you to fill out an application form for the medical. As you wait they will ask you to piss in a cup that has been placed waiting for you. You place it back to wait for them. I don't know what they study in it though. Ph Balance? Drugs? I havn't a clue.

Inside they will take your blood pressure. You get weighed. You will read the chart how ever many paces away. You will read a book alternating eyes. You will be told to hold the book where you can read it comfortably. (Trick to see how far you can read the book? I don't know....I could read it on the floor or smack dab in my face, so it doesnt bother me.)

They run through a bunch of questions you say no to, and how much you drink per week. I always got the "How old are you" first. But ever since I was 16 I've been saying a drink a day.

They will pull out the colour blindness book. Each page is of colourful dots with a number dotted in the page. State the number.

You will have a hearing test completed. I was place in a tiny box in the basement with a headset on and was told to click this clicker-thinger when I heard a beep. It alternates ears and alternates in volume. That being said; I have had friends of mine tell me that their doctor left the room and wispered back "Can you hear me" ... and that was that.

You will have an EKG/ECG (Electrocardiogram). They place a shitload of suction cups on your upperbody .... press go and they get numbers on a sheet.

They ask you to stand up. Extend your arms parallel to the ground at your side. Bend your arm to touch your nose. Both arms. Then sit on the bench....strikes your knee with a hammer...you kick him and life is good. If your over 40 you bend over the bench and try not to kick him. Havn't struck that age yet....not looking forward to it.

Nothin' to it...

TIPS: Leave EXTRA early if you don't know where the place is. Once upon a time at age 18 with perfect health. Driving their I couldnt find the place. I got all pissed off, ended up being 20min. late and a severe case of high blood pressure. Didn't look good when that was the first thing he slapped on.

That's what I can think of right now....Hope it helps

invertedattitude · Post by **invertedattitude** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:56 pm

You occasionaily drink 1 glass of wine/beer per week with a meal.

Also, get a good nights sleep, don't drink the night before, and don't drink coffee the day of the exam before you go.

You're going to be nervous enough as it is, so it helps when it comes time to get your blood pressure taken.

Oh and don't worry, if you would see the guys who do have medicals, you'd relax

xsbank · Post by **xsbank** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:05 pm

If you are in YUL pick Mediservices (Dr. Perlman) out on the 40. He's excellent and straightforward and does FAA too.

You pee in a cup to test for blood sugar - they don't do drug tests (yet).

trancemania · Post by **trancemania** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:35 pm

Dont sweat it man.

As long as you healthy(people generally know if they are healthy or not)

You dont have a problem,Its not impossible to get.

Thr-Bird · Post by **Thr-Bird** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:54 pm

Thanks guys! I feel much better, not that i'm in panic, just wondering what to expect... i'll make sure I definitely leave early enough considering traffic at 8 am.

xsbank... I'm meeting this guy called Alain Dubois, his office on Sherbrooke west, i didn't have a clue who to pick so i took the guy who was the closest to my place... for next year i'll try your doc.

YWGVOR · Post by **YWGVOR** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 8:31 pm

A quick note about the pissing test... one thing they check for is protein in the urine...so if you have a high protein diet, or have exercised hard the previous day and dehydrated yourself you'll probably get a higher than normal protein content in your urine which they deem as possibly kidneys not functioning properly... advice is to just start drinking plain old water the day before.. you'll be hydrated and piss clear, and any other crap in your ducting will be cleared out

jet a1 · Post by **jet a1** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 8:36 pm

i had a doctor tell me after the test that he'd tested for drugs (even though it wasn't required) and that i had tested negative...kinda pissed me off. other than that the medical isn't bad at all, some doc's will give you the turn and cough, others don't do a thing....just talk to you and sign the paper.
later.
jet.

Adam Oke · Post by **Adam Oke** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 8:45 pm

You're getting hosed if you get the turn and cough treatment. 'Ol Doc's trying to cop a feel. That's for a physical.

ez4u2say · Post by **ez4u2say** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 9:00 pm

One thing that you might be cautious of is how you answer the question...have you ever been knocked unconscious..I was struck by a car as a kid and was unconscious for a few minutes when my head hit the sidewalk..seems that this could hold up the approval since a head injury could triger a seizure later on.. I still got my class 1 since there was quite a lengthy time gap from the accident to the medical and the doc just let it go..

Siddley Hawker · Post by **Siddley Hawker** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 9:20 pm

DEFPOTEC.
Remember that.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 9:52 pm

Speaking of being rendered unconscious momentarily, do they ask you if you have been tazered ?

North Shore · Post by **North Shore** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 11:57 pm

You're getting hosed if you get the turn and cough treatment. 'Ol Doc's trying to cop a feel. That's for a physical.

Not that I particularly like my jewels being fondled by anyone other than Mrs. Shore, but it seems to me that if the good Dr. was to ask me to cough in order to facilitate diagnosis of a hernia somewhere, that would be a good thing, no? Being shy and all is fine, but when it could potentially hinder your health and well-being, then it's time to grin and bear it, imho...

Kelowna Pilot · Post by **Kelowna Pilot** » Thu Nov 22, 2007 12:17 am

Ok, so next tuesday I will attempt the Class 1 Medical certificate for the very first time. I've never been to a medical exam with TC before and I'm asking if anybody has any suggestions about the exam.

What exactly is it gonna happen when i walk the door of Mr. doctor that I choose randomly on the TC list available on the net (I'm in Montreal)? Anything I should say/not to say? Like should i tell him i don't drink at all? Is he gonna make me piss in a cup? Am I gonna get interviewed on my situation right now, do I work, do I go to school, why I want to start taking flight lessons etc... what's my medical record? (I had mild pancreatitis in 2004)

I read on James Ball's book (great read btw) about avoiding sexual activity and excessive drinking a few days before, while i understand the drinking the sex part I don't.

Just stay away from Club Super Sexe and hold back on the Pepsi and Poutine for a few days and you'll do fine.

Seriously, go walk around the airport and take a look at some of the mega bellies you see on some of the Air Canada pilots.

If they can get a medical, so you can you. It's inspiring in a twisted way.

wxnut · Post by **wxnut** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:27 pm

If you gain like 15-20 lbs by the time you have to renew your cat 1 medical ... will they fail you ? or how does that work?

Does weight matter really? I mean I got my Cat 1 medical when I was at 5'10 and 225 lbs.. now im 5'11 and 250 ... Yup, fatty could be my nickname.

Just wondering how that works...

Cheers !

invertedattitude · Post by **invertedattitude** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:33 pm

They could care less how fat you are. EKG and blood pressure is all.

wxnut · Post by **wxnut** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:41 pm

i had an ECG ... isn't it like done every 5 years for CAT 1 Medicals???

invertedattitude · Post by **invertedattitude** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 6:38 am

Only once until you're 30, then every 2 years if I'm not mistaken until you're 40, then I dunno every 15 days or something

wxnut · Post by **wxnut** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 12:33 pm

lol haha

Ok cool thanks for the help... is it the same criteria for airline medicals or what is the case about that?

invertedattitude · Post by **invertedattitude** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 2:20 pm

Specific airline medicals you mean to be hired?

Perhaps ask that in the WJA and ACA forums? Might get some more detailed information.

Thr-Bird · Post by **Thr-Bird** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 3:15 pm

had a doctor tell me after the test that he'd tested for drugs (even though it wasn't required) and that i had tested negative

That sucks! I mean that he performed a drug test anyways... i wonder what would have happened if anyone tested positive since is not common procedure.

Thr-Bird · Post by **Thr-Bird** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 8:40 am

Will you know right away if you pass or not or they make you wait a couple weeks? Do they take your blood?

Guido · Post by **Guido** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 12:05 pm

They've always just signed me off the day of... whatever they did the test for on my pee, it must've been quick.

renfley · Post by **renfley** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 1:37 pm

Only once until you're 30, then every 2 years if I'm not mistaken until you're 40, then I dunno every 15 days or something

I had to get my ecg done every year! guess my Doc is just thorough!

Will you know right away if you pass or not or they make you wait a couple weeks? Do they take your blood?

He signed me the same day, but he had to wait for the results of my hearing test and my ecg before sending it to TC

Haven't heard anything back so....

No they don't take blood! ( at least not for me)