FAA to Permit Pilot Anti-Depressant Use

Despite years of disallowing anti-depressant use by Airline Pilots, the FAA has reconsidered its position, as the possibility of untreated, depressed pilots are becoming an all too real possibility and, according to some sources, is more common than most travelers would prefer. For generations, pilots have been unable to fly commercial planes while on antidepressants. In turn, many pilots suffering from common symptoms of depression have been flying without the drugs proven to counter these effects, needing to hide their illness from supervisors for fear of losing their license.

Starting Monday, April 5^th, this policy is no longer. Pilots who have shown signs of depression will now be able to take prescription drugs to treat mental illness, provided they show indications of stability during an established trial period. Starting now and continuing throughout the next six months, pilots will also be able to come clean about their illness with no fear of losing their job or license.

With alleged self-medication and general lack of alternative treatments for such a serious disease, many agree that this new policy will greatly improve safety for passengers and crew alike. This institutional tolerance will undoubtedly come as a relief to pilots flying under less-than-desirable conditions, and allow them to seek professional treatment with the peace of mind that their job will not be on the line.

The Federal Aviation Administration, commonly known as the FAA, estimates that up to ten percent of pilots suffer from depression. Since the FAA bars pilots from seeking pharmaceutical treatment for the illness, many pilots have gone without treatment for years, potentially jeopardizing the safety of all those aboard. The public can still express their doubts or opinions about the new policy until May 3^rd, but most seem to think that the policy will be well-received both by pilots and passengers alike, easing the tension on already-depressed pilots.

[Photo markonen/Flickr]