Feeling lost while waiting, prior experience - FAA-ATO-22-ATCEXP-76330

[mikebrah75]

Got picked up from the open experience bid that was back at the end January 2022. At the same time had recently took a tower position with a contracting company.

Separated from the military February 2022.

Reached out for mental health services because I was struggling both while I was active duty and then I asked for help again with the VA.

Have been in contact with the virtual hiring team for the better part of a year doing all the pre-hiring things that are asked of us to do.

Was working for the contractor, December 2022 rolls around and I go to re-up my class two physical, it gets deferred because of my visits with the VA mental health department.

Class 2 expired at the end of December 2022.

Both the virtual hiring team and the FAA regional office that I'm working with were requesting the same information so that way I could receive my class 2 physical and return to work has a contractor as well as satisfy the requirements to become an ATCS with the FAA.

Terminated from said contractor because of how long the review process was taking and they could not keep me on leave without pay for any longer.

I am currently on UI benefits while job hunting and also thankfully receiving VA payments which is keeping me afloat.

It's been extremely frustrating and I'm at a loss of where to go because of this whole process. I've reached out to the specialists that they said I needed to, I have no idea how long any of this is going to take.

It's frustrating that I've done all the work, asked for all the help, did what I was supposed to do and am in a better place mentally but the only source of stress now is trying to get back to being a controller.

I've reached out asking for deadline extensions from the virtual hiring team but haven't heard anything back since I emailed them February 27th, and have called and left multiple voicemails to the following number 847-294-7300.

I will be reaching out to the FAA regional office for requesting a deadline extension for my class 2 physical.

I guess I'm just looking for advice from anybody else that may be going through this or am I just some weird unicorn.

 

[NotKC]

You are a vet, consider gi bill to learn a new trade, skill, career as a backup meanwhile trying to figure this out.

 

[Peter Gibbons]

It's pretty super fuckin shitty the way the faa handles issues like this. People shouldn't have to go untreated or hide that they are receiving treatment for things that may be totally unrelated to work and not affect it at all.

That said..... as said above, put those GI bill benefits to good use and learn something else, just in case. This job ain't worth your health my man.

 

[GulfBravoPapa]

It's pretty super fuckin shitty the way the faa handles issues like this. People shouldn't have to go untreated or hide that they are receiving treatment for things that may be totally unrelated to work and not affect it at all

I mean you can go through the EAP and get free counseling, therapy and a wide variety of other forms of help and not have to report any of it unless you are prescribed medication... which generally therapist don't do. They may refer you to a doctor who could diagnose and medicate you but going through the EAP program that almost never happens as the first step to getting help.

 

[NotKC]

Another idea, if things are stalling really bad on the govs side, consider speaking with your congressman. You did do what you were supposed to and now suffering consequences from it. They want to help vets, and especially with the suicide rates among vets, it would be screwed up if they turned you away. I personally would not have even sought mental health treatment for the reasons you are bringing up if I was going through shit. But were here now and I hope this helps you and helps our culture around mental health. Good luck bro

Edit: I might seek treatment on second thought depending on what's happening. Dont wanna discount what happened to you. But I would think hard on it knowing they would dq me.

 

[Peter Gibbons]

I mean you can go through the EAP and get free counseling, therapy and a wide variety of other forms of help and not have to report any of it unless you are prescribed medication... which generally therapist don't do. They may refer you to a doctor who could diagnose and medicate you but going through the EAP program that almost never happens as the first step to getting help.

Correct me if I'm wrong but EAP is for a limited duration like 10 visits or something, then you still have to report it. 10 visits can be akin to nothing for some of these things. My personal, layman's opinion is yes, a lot of these things can be solved without medication but in the instance they can't I do also think the faa needs to make a clear delination between say..... a dude with a chemical imbalance that makes him depressed, but functions fine on a light antidepressant and a dude who is/needs to be on hardcore antipsychotics and is hearing voices telling him to do bad things. No one wants a controller going full germanwings, but thats a far cry from someone dealing with a serious personal issue and needs long term help thinking thru it. People shouldn't be punished for getting the help they need.

The painting all mental health issues with a broad brush is a huge problem industry wide, not just with atc. I've seen people all across the industry deal with this, lose medicals, both temporarily and permanently and it's pretty shitty if you ask me.


TLDNR: EAP is definitely a good thing but they could do a lot better.

 

[GulfBravoPapa]

Correct me if I'm wrong but EAP is for a limited duration like 10 visits or something, then you still have to report it. 10 visits can be akin to nothing for some of these things. My personal, layman's opinion is yes, a lot of these things can be solved without medication but in the instance they can't I do also think the faa needs to make a clear delination between say..... a dude with a chemical imbalance that makes him depressed, but functions fine on a light antidepressant and a dude who is/needs to be on hardcore antipsychotics and is hearing voices telling him to do bad things. No one wants a controller going full germanwings, but thats a far cry from someone dealing with a serious personal issue and needs long term help thinking thru it. People shouldn't be punished for getting the help they need.

The painting all mental health issues with a broad brush is a huge problem industry wide, not just with atc. I've seen people all across the industry deal with this, lose medicals, both temporarily and permanently and it's pretty shitty if you ask me.


TLDNR: EAP is definitely a good thing but they could do a lot better.

It's eight visits per issue per 12 month period. It's not difficult to make anxiety one issue, then stress another issue, then depression a new issue and so on and so forth until you feel youve gotten all the help you need. Beyond that they offer discounts on continued services through their providers. I'm working on an EAP post with all the details.

 

[XX14]

Is the OP even eligible for EAP? They said they worked at a contract tower. Those companies to my knowledge don't have access to EAP like FAA employees do.

 

[DoctorSalami]

If you’re ever struggling with that stuff it’s best to get it treated privately. Do not allow any of the doctors to release your medical information to anyone. The flight surgeon (at least around here) goes out of his way to disqualify controllers for anything. They’re also in bed with the person in charge of the EAP. Sucks that it’s that way but they will try and hurt you long before they help you.

 

[Peter Gibbons]

It's eight visits per issue per 12 month period. It's not difficult to make anxiety one issue, then stress another issue, then depression a new issue and so on and so forth until you feel youve gotten all the help you need. Beyond that they offer discounts on continued services through their providers. I'm working on an EAP post with all the details.

I mean that's all good and fine but I don't trust the Flight doc or the agency farther than I can throw them on that stuff. For a lot of things it can and should be a total non factor.

 

[32andBelow]

I mean that's all good and fine but I don't trust the Flight doc or the agency farther than I can throw them on that stuff. For a lot of things it can and should be a total non factor.

It’s wild how much your situation can be effected just by who your doctor is

 

[ManBearPig]

Correct me if I'm wrong but EAP is for a limited duration like 10 visits or something, then you still have to report it. 10 visits can be akin to nothing for some of these things. My personal, layman's opinion is yes, a lot of these things can be solved without medication but in the instance they can't I do also think the faa needs to make a clear delination between say..... a dude with a chemical imbalance that makes him depressed, but functions fine on a light antidepressant and a dude who is/needs to be on hardcore antipsychotics and is hearing voices telling him to do bad things. No one wants a controller going full germanwings, but thats a far cry from someone dealing with a serious personal issue and needs long term help thinking thru it. People shouldn't be punished for getting the help they need.

The painting all mental health issues with a broad brush is a huge problem industry wide, not just with atc. I've seen people all across the industry deal with this, lose medicals, both temporarily and permanently and it's pretty shitty if you ask me.


TLDNR: EAP is definitely a good thing but they could do a lot better.

EAP only reports to the FAA about your visits if they decide you are a danger to yourself or others. Going to talk to someone won't get you reported. Just so anyone reading this isn't confused.

 

[GulfBravoPapa]

I mean that's all good and fine but I don't trust the Flight doc or the agency farther than I can throw them on that stuff. For a lot of things it can and should be a total non factor.

The flight surgeon has no knowledge of if you use EAP

 

[doodii]

Id recommend EAP like others, but the government hires the lowest bidder, so the quality you’ll get probably won’t be up to your standard. I asked for help from my EAP assigned agent or whatever you wish to call them and got nothing in return. I had to do everything myself.

 

[PointSixty5stalker]

Got picked up from the open experience bid that was back at the end January 2022. At the same time had recently took a tower position with a contracting company.

Separated from the military February 2022.

Reached out for mental health services because I was struggling both while I was active duty and then I asked for help again with the VA.

Have been in contact with the virtual hiring team for the better part of a year doing all the pre-hiring things that are asked of us to do.

Was working for the contractor, December 2022 rolls around and I go to re-up my class two physical, it gets deferred because of my visits with the VA mental health department.

Class 2 expired at the end of December 2022.

Both the virtual hiring team and the FAA regional office that I'm working with were requesting the same information so that way I could receive my class 2 physical and return to work has a contractor as well as satisfy the requirements to become an ATCS with the FAA.

Terminated from said contractor because of how long the review process was taking and they could not keep me on leave without pay for any longer.

I am currently on UI benefits while job hunting and also thankfully receiving VA payments which is keeping me afloat.

It's been extremely frustrating and I'm at a loss of where to go because of this whole process. I've reached out to the specialists that they said I needed to, I have no idea how long any of this is going to take.

It's frustrating that I've done all the work, asked for all the help, did what I was supposed to do and am in a better place mentally but the only source of stress now is trying to get back to being a controller.

I've reached out asking for deadline extensions from the virtual hiring team but haven't heard anything back since I emailed them February 27th, and have called and left multiple voicemails to the following number 847-294-7300.

I will be reaching out to the FAA regional office for requesting a deadline extension for my class 2 physical.

I guess I'm just looking for advice from anybody else that may be going through this or am I just some weird unicorn.

Just another example of the government turning their back on the men a women that were brave enough to wear the uniform. I hope you get everything figured out.