So what is depressing our pilots today, is some of this due to loss of pension funds and compensation in some areas, I might guess these are a couple areas that would contribute along with the usual diagnostics for depression. Is there also a level of disruption leading to depression in the sky? Disruption created in the 
cockpit with looking at the new bids for working hours on their computers caused two pilots to miss an airport. The big hero Captain Scully we all know had 40% of his pay cut and his retirement dumped, so he retired and got out of the sky. That’s enough to depress anyone, so in view of economic times and financial decisions like this occurring, do we need to ensure that we have the drugs to handle this.
Distraction and Disruption – A Way of Life Today with Technology - Do Our Leaders Understand What Is Happening?
Our leaders for some reason or another just don’t seem to understand this and perhaps because most are either non participants and living in the world of tech denial. We seem to have leaders that subscribe to the “its for those guys over there” philosophy and thus they make perhaps dumb and silly decisions, but they affect the public in dumb and dangerous ways. Here’s one prime example of the House needing 3 years to go wireless, gee good thing the airlines don’t function this way.
House of Representatives Going Wireless – Slated to Take 3 Years And Could Have Some Real Healthcare Management Benefits for Members
There’s a lot healthcare can learn from systems and training done in aviation, more so than just bird abatement (not this duck). If a pilot is more than moderately depressed then it becomes a different issue.
Bird Abatement and Simulation Training – Aviation and Healthcare on the same track
Hey these days you can even do an online assessment for your well being and mental health too. Again, this is an online algorithms that determines results based on your answers. You know I keep having to remind people of all the algorithms that surround us and the analysis processes that take place and some just can’t get their heads around this. I am not in favor of every process by any means, but I just try to let readers know what is out there either today or ahead of time and to be ready, especially if you see the form of technology as a threat or one that needs modifications. The danger is somebody along the line will take friendly user aide algorithms used for guidance and analyze them and hold you accountable someday for something you just wanted to read up on and test yourself. Insurance companies are great for this as they can use such information to project risk with your healthcare. Be aware and alert.
Online Screener for Determining Mental Health Issues M-3 Symptom Checklist – Integrates with HeatlhVault
Now back to the story here, it still makes me wonder how many will actually use this clause. Most I know will not as they know later something will come up and it 
could stand to be used in disfavor. If not officially, peers will chew each other up. I don’t see this as a big move and again think there’s going to be few takers on this, but we have rules now that say it ok. This somewhat reminds me of what Pfizer is doing too, making sure everything is perhaps legally covered, but in real terms is it really safe, ponder that one too.
Ex-Pfizer Scientist wins $1.37 Million in Lawsuit Against Pfizer in Biotech Viral Exposure Lawsuit
Myself personally speaking after having spent a few hours as a visitor years ago in an Airbus simulator, I think this is just that, a new “legal” statement. Waitresses in restaurants earn more than pilots in their first couple years. Recently on television one of the news shows talked about how pilots are paid and talked to a few that are on “food stamps” to make ends meet. Being a pilot with all the responsibility they have and at the same time needing to partake in food stamps due to not enough income is enough to depress any pilot. BD
Washington (CNN) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is changing a generations-old policy banning pilots from taking antidepressants, saying the new policy will improve safety by bringing to the surface pilots who either ignore signs of depression or lie about their use of medication for fear of losing their licenses to fly.
Under the new policy, the FAA will, on a case-by-case basis, issue special medical certificates to pilots who take one of four antidepressants: fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa) and escitalopram (Lexapro).
"We think it's safer to [make sure pilots are treated for depression] than to continue to drive it underground," he said.
The FAA says pilots have a regulatory duty and professional responsibility to not fly if they know they have a physical or mental condition that makes them unsafe to fly.
FAA to allow pilots to fly while on antidepressants - CNN.com
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