Having issues with Medical?

[DanWEC]

I feel your pain, it's unbelievably frustrating to see them with your life in their hands and not doing a damn thing, with seeminly no recourse, transparency or accountability. It's beyond infuriating. I'm in your shoes as well, engaged in a fight with Transport where everyone from CAME's to specialists are stating my fitness unequivocally, but Transport is opaque and uncooperative for reasons unknown.

I wonder there are any published service standards or mandates for TC. What about a letter to the minister? A phone call with your MP to start? I'm progressing through their hoops right now but if anything stalls out I have no issue spending all day on the phone or in Gov't offices, going up and down every single person in the bureaucratic chain- because with them it's a competency and admin issue, not a medical one.

Did you look at the Transport tribunal review option? I know people who've had success going that route.

[BigQ]

Just did my medical last week, talked to my CAME about exactly this problem. He said he has massive frustrations as well, as he has to use back-channels to reach someone whenever something happens. Finds himself in the cross-fire between TC and (new) pilots having issues getting their medicals done. This, and possibly also the 3 retirement of CAMEs within 2 hours' drive in the last 3 years, is the reason for him doubling his fee for Cat 1s.

[Nomedical]

I feel your pain, it's unbelievably frustrating to see them with your life in their hands and not doing a damn thing, with seeminly no recourse, transparency or accountability. It's beyond infuriating. I'm in your shoes as well, engaged in a fight with Transport where everyone from CAME's to specialists are stating my fitness unequivocally, but Transport is opaque and uncooperative for reasons unknown.

I wonder there are any published service standards or mandates for TC. What about a letter to the minister? A phone call with your MP to start? I'm progressing through their hoops right now but if anything stalls out I have no issue spending all day on the phone or in Gov't offices, going up and down every single person in the bureaucratic chain- because with them it's a competency and admin issue, not a medical one.

Did you look at the Transport tribunal review option? I know people who've had success going that route.

The email I wrote on Friday was sent to my RAMO, the Minister of Transport Canada and my MP. I am currently putting together a report of their continued and consistent incompetence over the last 5 years and 8 months. That email and report will be sent to the RAMO, Minister, MP, Pierre Pollievre, Transport Canada Shadow Minister and every national news media outlet in Canada.

I made it clear that I was fed up, explaining that for the last 5 years and 8 months I have been patient, professional and courteous but that I was done with this attitude. Some highlights:

"For your convenience I have once again attached a copy of this ophthalmology report to save the hassle of someone actually looking at my file."

"It seems that Transport Canada Civil Aviation Medicine has taken a turn and is now in the profession of NOT SUPPORTING commercial pilots or aviation professionals. This is undermining the foundation that civil aviation medicine is based on; self disclosure."

"You received my Esterman ophthalmology report in 2023, again the same report is attached. 5 months ago your office received my MoCA as well as the raw data from my sleep deprived EEG. Both the interpreting neurologist and the technician described the EEG in writing as normal. My MoCA was assessed as a perfect score, again demonstrating no cognitive deficiencies. My Esterman Binocular visual field results are well within the standard for a category 1 medical. Every box is ticked but your office can’t hold a pen."

"Dr Edward Brook wrote "To complete a re-assessment we would need more information concerning your condition. You should send us the following documents...
So was he not telling the truth when he stated “to complete a re-assessment we would need…” because I provided your office with those documents a year ago. Or is he incompetent and requested the wrong exams and documents? Or is the office incompetent and failed to review the documents I sent? Where is the deficiency at Transport Canada Civil Aviation Medicine? There clearly is one, where is it?"

"When Dr. Kwan stated in her April 26th letter "Of note, your file is still in the queue for AMRB neurologist review, possibly in May 2024” is that a real and acceptable timeline? “Possibly”? What sort of professional organization does not use a calendar and schedule? Why is my review not scheduled with the AMRB neurologist? It was scheduled for April 26, 2024. Is it a lack of resources, ability to be organized or general incompetence? The telephone and cable company at least give you a date and a time window, April 26th in the morning. Transport Canada can’t do better than a telephone company when scheduling a review? Unacceptable."

"Everything is submitted, be professional and get this completed. I am sick and tired of sending your organization the same documents, repeating medical exams and generally dealing with an organization that seems to strive for mediocrity. Show up."

I am taking suggestions for lawyers or firms that specialize in civil cases with the federal government, I want my medical and I want to hold them accountable for their continued dysfunction. Any professional pilot in the country can find themselves in a similar situation, something needs to change before it happens to you. For a government that claims to be all inclusive they sure succeed at trampling the rights of their citizens.

[DanWEC]

Just ridiculous. Keep us updated.
It's a shame Stephanie Kuzie isn't the Shadow minister for Transport anymore, in dealing with her I found her very engaged and receptive. She responded to private messages within hours. She came out and spoke to us at our Hill protests during the travel shutdown.

Have you looked at TATC?

https://www.tatc.gc.ca/en/home.html

You bring a specialist to testify for you, and a lawyer if you'd like, but it's not required.

I have a colleague that took them to task with the panel, and when Transport's reps couldn't provide any logical reason for denying his medical, they reinstated it immediately.

[PilotDAR]

I can say that having dealt with TC over the past 48 years, It has only been my interaction with their medical department a few years back which was truly disappointing. Terrible compassion, terrible timelines, really would not listen to other medical professionals who did understand my fitness, and, when the TC doctor finally did come to his senses, it really did feel that he was returning my full flying status begrudgingly. I seek to avoid that department as long as I can, and if I ever have to go through what I did with the TC doctor, it'll just be time to retire from flying.

In the mean time, one of the many people who so kindly helped me along the way, directed me to TC 13312. It's an easy search and find. I don't pretend to understand everything it says, but my eye does take to: "Aeromedical Status" on page 2. I won't go into too much detail, but when I demonstrated my familiarity with the contents of this document, the TC doctor seemed to have less wind in his sails...

Ironically, the silliness of their limitation of "as or with copilot" could not be changed to "no passengers" (which is a possible limitation in their lingo). I just wanted to fly my own airplane around home while we settled the matter. Instead, I drove 2 hours each way into Toronto to fly with a buddy. Gee... would I be more a public risk putting my plane into a field near home after the mind gap they were assuming I would have? Or, driving down the 404 and Parkway? No sense....

Good luck

[Nomedical]

I am familiar with TP 13312 - very familiar and reference it often. I am cataloging everything as clearly and accurately as possible. I’ve request my file through the access to information act 3 times now and will be sending in a 4th.

I’ve discovered some pretty glaring biases and conversations that shouldn’t have taken place, example the RAMO advising the AMRB that she was confident I will not return to flying again, this in writing in her summary of my case. She also referenced out dated medical records and never referenced the latest est records and documents sent.

I was told I needed a neurologist to write a letter stating my risk of incapacitation was low and provide scientific evidence supporting that claim. Neurology is hardly scientific and any neurologist would tell you it’s a guessing game at best. I was able to find a neurologist willing to have my corner and write a document saying I was low risk. TC AMRB neurooogist have this no weight, so it was a wast of 14 months for me to try and get this to start.

The last email I wrote on Sunday highlighted their errors, that they wrote themselves. I was sure to send this letter not only to the RAMO but also Pierre Poilievre and my conservative MP.

When Stephanie Kuzie was the shadow minister I reached out to her. The response was the shadow minister does not take on individual cases. She was a ball buster and I expected her to do something, turned out as useful as TC.

[PilotDAR]

Aside from our respective views of the leader of his majesty's opposition, I expect that we agree on most everything else. In my case, it was 2 1/2 years after I first responded to TC's request for more information about my condition. During that time, I flew with a valid unrestricted class one medical, more than 250 hours, including carrying TC staff as witness passengers during test flying. It was after all of that "getting back into the saddle", the TC doctor sent me the letter. I was rather stunned that it would either take that long to flag my file, or that whichever "next" medical I attended wouldn't have had a warning flag. When asked the doctor told me I was low priority, and they were just getting around to my file. If I was low priority for two and a half years, why now all of a sudden? No good answer....

[Nomedical]

For the last 5 years and 9 months I’ve been courteous, professional, patient, polite and respectful. Last month the gloves came off. Yesterday I had enough and let them have it again. 8:00 am this morning I got my medical back.

Anyone hiring?

[DanWEC]

Excellent news! Happy for you.

What was the final attack?

Edit- In addition, though you're finally successful with your own case, will you be continuing action against TC from a big-picture perspective?

[JBI]

For the last 5 years and 9 months I’ve been courteous, professional, patient, polite and respectful. Last month the gloves came off. Yesterday I had enough and let them have it again. 8:00 am this morning I got my medical back.

Anyone hiring?

AMAZING!!! Best feeling ever! So glad to hear your news!

While I would never wish the experience of losing your medical and fighting with TC to get it back on my worst enemy, it really helps make one grateful for the opportunity to do this job.

And yes, lots of places still hiring these days.

Sent you a PM.

[W5]

@Nomedical Congratulations Happy for you.

[Nomedical]

Excellent news! Happy for you.

What was the final attack?

Edit- In addition, though you're finally successful with your own case, will you be continuing action against TC from a big-picture perspective?

I am open to helping anyone deal with this dictator organization hiding in the public service sector within the Government of Canada. It is important to know they appear to believe they can do what they want, how they want and when they want with no recourse or oversight.

I am still seeking out legal action against Transport Canada and looking for a law firm with experience in suing the federal government. I would love to collect as many individual cases as possible and see if there is a chance for a class action. In my opinion their incompetence cost me over $1M in lost wages alone. In addition to that they cost me seniority, years of pension contributions. Not to mention the stress they caused me during this entire ordeal.

I got my medical back and couldn't understand what I was feeling emotionally. I realized it was happiness. Their system cost me over half a decade of happiness.

[Inverted2]

Good for you! Happy to hear you got your medical back. I’ve had unpleasant dealings with those scumbags several years ago and don’t wish that upon anyone. I hope you get a good law firm and sue them into oblivion.

Hopefully some heads roll in that department and they get some people with actual brains running the show. (Wishful thinking I know)!

[JBI]

Excellent news! Happy for you.

What was the final attack?

Edit- In addition, though you're finally successful with your own case, will you be continuing action against TC from a big-picture perspective?

I am open to helping anyone deal with this dictator organization hiding in the public service sector within the Government of Canada. It is important to know they appear to believe they can do what they want, how they want and when they want with no recourse or oversight.

I am still seeking out legal action against Transport Canada and looking for a law firm with experience in suing the federal government. I would love to collect as many individual cases as possible and see if there is a chance for a class action. In my opinion their incompetence cost me over $1M in lost wages alone. In addition to that they cost me seniority, years of pension contributions. Not to mention the stress they caused me during this entire ordeal.

I got my medical back and couldn't understand what I was feeling emotionally. I realized it was happiness. Their system cost me over half a decade of happiness.

There is an ongoing lawsuit against Transport Canada and one of their former RAMO's Dr. Langille.

https://apstrom.ca/claim-against-transport-canada/

[hithere]

Awesome news congratulations!

[realtor360]

Dang, that sounds frustrating. It's like Transport Canada's stuck on repeat with these medical checks. I've heard similar stories, and it's like they're overdoing it lately, especially with the retirement age change.

[Nomedical]

The more people talk me their experiences the more mad I get. Just had a fellow tell me their CAT 1 was pulled due to a vitamin supplement he was taking…

[W5]

The more people talk me their experiences the more mad I get. Just had a fellow tell me their CAT 1 was pulled due to a vitamin supplement he was taking…

I believe that.

[Victory]

Looks like they meet first Wednesday of the month and review "up to 6" cases per meeting.

https://www.merx.com/public/supplier/so ... 8/abstract

[itsgrosswhatinet]

Looks like they meet first Wednesday of the month and review "up to 6" cases per meeting.

https://www.merx.com/public/supplier/so ... 8/abstract

So if there's 36 cases waiting in the queue you're looking at a minimum 6 months for an answer. Pretty unreal. There's probably more than 36 cases too.

[Red_Comet]

TC needs to be cut out of the medical process. The authority needs to be given directly to CAME's. The system as it stands is absurd, with make-work for a back up medical panel that doesn't need to exist. A CAME should be the final say regarding a CAT 1 medical. They are the ones that do all the examinations and sign off, so they are ultimately responsible for pilot medical validity. TC should just be issuing ADBs and stamps, like they do for pilot ratings. CAMEs should be the equivalent of TC examiners, who are flight instructors trained to conduct examinations on TCs behalf. Can you imagine if your CPL/ATPL exams were "reviewed" by a second panel of "TC examiners" after you passed your ride? How absurd does that sound? Why is it allowed for medicals?

[DanWEC]

I agree. Having another set of doctors that look at the work of doctors, including of specialists above their own pay grade, is ridiculous and redundant.

If we were to hypothetically in the other direction, why do CAME's have to be physicians at all? If all they're doing is just administering vision and hearing tests and TCM authorizes and scrutinizes everything else, why isn't a $20 buck an hour tech doing it?

Personally though, I agree, I think it's TCM that should be completely dismantled and redone, not the CAME structure.

[Mute_20]

I could use some help. I have been fighting for my cat 1 for over 2 years now. I would really like to know how you managed to get in contact with them. I cant seem to find any email or phone they look at. I am ontario region and would really like to contact the RAMO but cant find the email.

[itsgrosswhatinet]

You guys are right on. CAME's are now essentially secretaries for TC.

[Nomedical]

I could use some help. I have been fighting for my cat 1 for over 2 years now. I would really like to know how you managed to get in contact with them. I cant seem to find any email or phone they look at. I am ontario region and would really like to contact the RAMO but cant find the email.

Email your MP. Call your MP. Explain what exactly is happening. Go to TC website and make a service complaint. Make an official complaint with the government that your charter of rights are being violated by the federal government, not meeting service standards and not allowing you to work.