Medical DQ for substance abuse

SalATC

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So I have a situation that I would appreciate any useful info. I am an air traffic control specialists trainee candidate.
In my security clearance I admitted to short term marijuana usage in the past 7 years. (Actual usage was for about 3 months little over a year ago)

And since I had already admitted to usage on security clearance I had to admit to it on the medxpress. As a result I received a letter from faa medical that I have been disqualified for consideration on the grounds of:

e. No substance abuse within the preceding 2 years defined as:
(4)Misuse of a substance that the FAS, based on case history and appropriate, qualified
medical judgment relating to the substance involved, finds:
(a)Makes the person unable to safely perform air traffic control duties; or
(b)May reasonably be expected, for the maximum duration of the medical clearance period, to make the person unable to safely perform air traffic control duties.
f. Any conduct that would constitute a violation under DOT Order 3910.1 series or the FAA Human Resources Operating Instruction.


I have talked to an attorney that says the solution is a special issuance to get airman med certificate. However the lawyers fee is 3000$ plus another 3k for testing.

I wanted to know if anyone had any information that could help on how to get the special issuance. Like maybe if someone has been through a similar situation. Would it be something I could do without needing a lawyer?

Or just any information on the usage of a special issuance for this situation.

Any information on the whole situation would be appreciated.
 
So I have a situation that I would appreciate any useful info. I am an air traffic control specialists trainee candidate.
In my security clearance I admitted to short term marijuana usage in the past 7 years. (Actual usage was for about 3 months little over a year ago)

And since I had already admitted to usage on security clearance I had to admit to it on the medxpress. As a result I received a letter from faa medical that I have been disqualified for consideration on the grounds of:

e. No substance abuse within the preceding 2 years defined as:
(4)Misuse of a substance that the FAS, based on case history and appropriate, qualified
medical judgment relating to the substance involved, finds:
(a)Makes the person unable to safely perform air traffic control duties; or
(b)May reasonably be expected, for the maximum duration of the medical clearance period, to make the person unable to safely perform air traffic control duties.
f. Any conduct that would constitute a violation under DOT Order 3910.1 series or the FAA Human Resources Operating Instruction.


I have talked to an attorney that says the solution is a special issuance to get airman med certificate. However the lawyers fee is 3000$ plus another 3k for testing.

I wanted to know if anyone had any information that could help on how to get the special issuance. Like maybe if someone has been through a similar situation. Would it be something I could do without needing a lawyer?

Or just any information on the usage of a special issuance for this situation.

Any information on the whole situation would be appreciated.
Stay clean and try again in the future.
 
Since you keep checking back on this thread, presumably expecting a different response, I’ll edit my previous response to an even more “straightforward” answer:

Stay clean and try again in the future. Or don’t, and pay an absurd amount of money for lawyer fees and whatever expenses related that, eventually, get you to OKC. If you make it to OKC, then you play against the odds of actually passing.

It’s a huge gamble. And given your situation, a lot of money is on the line upfront on your end just to be eligible to qualify to show face at the academy. I personally would look elsewhere for employment opportunities.
 
So I have a situation that I would appreciate any useful info. I am an air traffic control specialists trainee candidate.
In my security clearance I admitted to short term marijuana usage in the past 7 years. (Actual usage was for about 3 months little over a year ago)

And since I had already admitted to usage on security clearance I had to admit to it on the medxpress. As a result I received a letter from faa medical that I have been disqualified for consideration on the grounds of:

e. No substance abuse within the preceding 2 years defined as:
(4)Misuse of a substance that the FAS, based on case history and appropriate, qualified
medical judgment relating to the substance involved, finds:
(a)Makes the person unable to safely perform air traffic control duties; or
(b)May reasonably be expected, for the maximum duration of the medical clearance period, to make the person unable to safely perform air traffic control duties.
f. Any conduct that would constitute a violation under DOT Order 3910.1 series or the FAA Human Resources Operating Instruction.


I have talked to an attorney that says the solution is a special issuance to get airman med certificate. However the lawyers fee is 3000$ plus another 3k for testing.

I wanted to know if anyone had any information that could help on how to get the special issuance. Like maybe if someone has been through a similar situation. Would it be something I could do without needing a lawyer?

Or just any information on the usage of a special issuance for this situation.

Any information on the whole situation would be appreciated.
Drugs are bad... Mmmmkay
 
I had the damn near same thing happen to me. PM me for details if you want. All I can say is that the HIMS Program (how I got my ATC and Aviators Medical back) took me like 3.5 years and about $25k. Not a fun process. Best of luck.
 
I remember seeing a thread on /atc on Reddit about a similar situation. Try looking there. Don’t remember if anyone had any useful advice but if you find the thread you could DM the OP
 
I had the damn near same thing happen to me. PM me for details if you want. All I can say is that the HIMS Program (how I got my ATC and Aviators Medical back) took me like 3.5 years and about $25k. Not a fun process. Best of luck.
PM’d. And thanks.
 
Personally I would walk away, especially if you are starting the career that late close to the age limit. It’s no longer #thebestjobintheworld. There is a good chance you will spend tens of thousands and years in waiting to just get hired into a black hole low level facility even if it works out for you. Who knows if you ever get out, if you did it could not be until your late 30’s. I’m sure you are not dependent on drugs but the FAA will treat it that way and the solution is probably more trouble then it’s worth.
 
I really hate to be that guy, but I recall seeing a conversation in this thread at least 40+ pages ago about disclosing drug related questions to the FAA (ones that you were never convicted of of course) and I made the suggestion of never straight up telling the FAA yeah I smoked pot in college or anything along those lines. In true point sixty five fashion I got dragged for saying you should lie to the FAA. But if you try again in the future, or for new comers looking at this thread - Drugs, bad. Drinking alcohol in moderation, okay. Binge drinking- right up there with the drugs category but can be explained.
 
I really hate to be that guy, but I recall seeing a conversation in this thread at least 40+ pages ago about disclosing drug related questions to the FAA (ones that you were never convicted of of course) and I made the suggestion of never straight up telling the FAA yeah I smoked pot in college or anything along those lines. In true point sixty five fashion I got dragged for saying you should lie to the FAA. But if you try again in the future, or for new comers looking at this thread - Drugs, bad. Drinking alcohol in moderation, okay. Binge drinking- right up there with the drugs category but can be explained.
Suggesting newcomers commit a federal crime because being honest about past transgressions is too much of a hassle is literally the worst possible “advice” you could give.
 
Suggesting newcomers commit a federal crime because being honest about past transgressions is too much of a hassle is literally the worst possible “advice” you could give.
Yeah this sounds familiar to the last time I posted that advice.
The honesty isn't the hassle. The hassle is the part where you get barred from the FAA and have to pay thousands of dollars because of past transgressions.
 
Yeah this sounds familiar to the last time I posted that advice.
The honesty isn't the hassle. The hassle is the part where you get barred from the FAA and have to pay thousands of dollars because of past transgressions.

It's also a hassle in the unlikely event you're caught in the lie. Say goodbye to ever being able to hold a government job or security clearance required position for the rest of your life.

Not also pointing out the other side of the coin of what can happen when you lie on your sf86 does a disservice to those seeking advice.
 
It's also a hassle in the unlikely event you're caught in the lie. Say goodbye to ever being able to hold a government job or security clearance required position for the rest of your life.

Not also pointing out the other side of the coin of what can happen when you lie on your sf86 does a disservice to those seeking advice.
How are they going to catch you without a conviction?
 
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