The HIMS Nightmare
Donation protected
Hello all, this is Wade. As many of you may know I have been in pursuit of some high flying dreams over the last couple of years. Two and a half years ago I decided (with the support of my family) to pursue a career in aviation. In making this decision I decided step down from my position as a General Manager at a bar here in Austin to focus on my part 141 flight school and spend as much time as possible with my family. Now it's time for me to put my "dirty laundry" out there.
There has been one major hold up in my journey to becoming a career pilot. In 2012 I got a DUI in Colorado with a very high BAC. This arrest has raised a lot of red flags with the FAA and in response to this DUI they put up quite a few road blocks up, all of which are very costly. Every time the FAA requests more information or a new evaluation we have done it without hesitation. I have also become SOBER over the last few years and intend to remain SOBER.
In the past 2 years I have had to undergo testing and evaluation, on 2 different occasions, from a HIMS (Human Intervention Motivation Study) certified Psychologist in Dallas (all of these repots were very positive). I also had to get accepted into a HIMS absence and monitoring program through my HIMS AME (Areonatical Medical Examiner) along with gaining sponsorship from my HIMS AME. This program requires me to attend AA meetings at least twice a week, submit to urine testing for drugs and alcohol 14 random times over each 12 month period, and have quarterly face to face meetings with my AME. The FAA requested that I attend some for of formal rehabilitation. So I completed an IOP program (intensive out patient). This wasn't easy to get into given that I am in whats considered "sustained remission" but I managed to get into a group through Austin Recovery Network. All of these tests are very expensive .
We received a request for more information early December. This time they wanted an updated HIMS Psychiatric evaluation, a HIMS Neuropsychological Cognative evaluation and screening, and a request for me to attend weekly aftercare group. I start my weekly aftercare group on the 5th. As I said before all of this has become quite expensive. Our current tally is around $15k. And with this additional request of things the tally will go up another $5k at least.
Upon completing all of the before mentioned things in the next 6 months I will resubmit for my medical. At this point there is nothing left for the FAA to request as they have had me do everything on their checklist and I should be cleared to start my career in aviation.
We are trying to get over this final hurdle but still have a long road to becoming a career pilot. We are asking for any help you may be able to provide to assistance with this last financial push. We are very much tapped financially as we try to make this dream a reality as we weren't expecting so many financially heavy obsticles. Anything helps and I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you to everyone out there, keep your head up, and never give up on your dreams!
There has been one major hold up in my journey to becoming a career pilot. In 2012 I got a DUI in Colorado with a very high BAC. This arrest has raised a lot of red flags with the FAA and in response to this DUI they put up quite a few road blocks up, all of which are very costly. Every time the FAA requests more information or a new evaluation we have done it without hesitation. I have also become SOBER over the last few years and intend to remain SOBER.
In the past 2 years I have had to undergo testing and evaluation, on 2 different occasions, from a HIMS (Human Intervention Motivation Study) certified Psychologist in Dallas (all of these repots were very positive). I also had to get accepted into a HIMS absence and monitoring program through my HIMS AME (Areonatical Medical Examiner) along with gaining sponsorship from my HIMS AME. This program requires me to attend AA meetings at least twice a week, submit to urine testing for drugs and alcohol 14 random times over each 12 month period, and have quarterly face to face meetings with my AME. The FAA requested that I attend some for of formal rehabilitation. So I completed an IOP program (intensive out patient). This wasn't easy to get into given that I am in whats considered "sustained remission" but I managed to get into a group through Austin Recovery Network. All of these tests are very expensive .
We received a request for more information early December. This time they wanted an updated HIMS Psychiatric evaluation, a HIMS Neuropsychological Cognative evaluation and screening, and a request for me to attend weekly aftercare group. I start my weekly aftercare group on the 5th. As I said before all of this has become quite expensive. Our current tally is around $15k. And with this additional request of things the tally will go up another $5k at least.
Upon completing all of the before mentioned things in the next 6 months I will resubmit for my medical. At this point there is nothing left for the FAA to request as they have had me do everything on their checklist and I should be cleared to start my career in aviation.
We are trying to get over this final hurdle but still have a long road to becoming a career pilot. We are asking for any help you may be able to provide to assistance with this last financial push. We are very much tapped financially as we try to make this dream a reality as we weren't expecting so many financially heavy obsticles. Anything helps and I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you to everyone out there, keep your head up, and never give up on your dreams!
Organizer
Wade McNabb
Organizer
Texas, TX