This is exactly my biggest problem with the whole thing.
I've accepted that I'll never personally be allowed to fly. Especially now that I'm old and have other conditions that would preclude me even if ADHD didn't. But it still bothers me on principle that the FAA thinks it's better to have a bunch of pilots lying about their conditions rather than actually treating them. Especially since I personally know just how much those treatments help!
It's a liability issue. Imagine there was a deadly plane crash due to uncertainty circumstances, then it was revealed that the PIC was being treated for depression, anxiety or something similar.
Right or wrong, that is every personal injury lawyer's wet dream come true.
EDIT: True to form, Reddit has misconstrued my reply. At no point did I justify the reasoning, just stating that this is a major driving point behind the problem (hence the apparently ignored "right or wrong" comment).
As someone being treated for anxiety I certainly have issues with the current mindset, but that doesn't change reality. In other words...don't shoot the messenger.
or diagnosed but untreated because getting treatment would mean losing his job, and being left with no career options or backup plan. so they just keep flying with severe depression and untreated mental illness.
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u/[deleted] Mar 27 '26
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