Baby DUI and past anxiety medication before school

[Wind man-77]

I need some advice or info. I had a DUI whenever I was 19 years old. This was 13 years ago. They called this a baby DUI because I was under the legal limit of .08 so obviously less than .15. However, I was still charged with a DUI because I was under the legal drinking age. Due to the DUI my license was . My license was also suspended and revoked one time before that because I did not pay surcharges for traffic violations. I actually did not know that I was supposed to. I was young and dumb and had moved out of state and did not transfer my mail. I was also prescribed sertraline for almost one year. I do not take sertraline or any medication anymore. I was planning on getting a doctors note saying that I have been off of it over here successfully for 60 days. This is the only anxiety medication I have ever been on.
This was all 13 or 14 years ago and I have matured and learned however these past decisions are still affecting me now.
I was wondering what Avenue I should take to get my first class medical before flight school.
I was also wondering how long it takes to get a special inssuance and how much it cost.
Does it make it hard to get through flight school and get a first-time job with a special issuance.
What sort of things are red flags that they do not want to hear that will permanently ground me or make it more difficult for me to fly when it comes to anxiety or depression cause.
Would it be wise to start with my second or third class medical then later on apply for my first class?
Do I need to find a really good Hims ame because there is only one where I live, and I may have to go out of state if that is even allowed to find another.

Anyway, I understand that is a long post with a lot of questions, but I would really appreciate any insight or any help on any of the questions from you guys. I would love to become a pilot one day. I just want to be smart about how I pursue the career.
Thank you so much for all of the help in advance. I really appreciate it.

 

[TCABM]

….What sort of things are red flags that they do not want to hear that will permanently ground me or make it more difficult for me to fly when it comes to anxiety or depression cause.
...

Lots to unpack here, but you’ll need to read the MedXpress user guide. You’ll meed to answer all the questions truthfully; failure to do so is a federal felony and you will acknowledge that on the application when you submit it. Don’t turn a medical issue into a legal issue.

You should engage a Senior AME for a consult as your medical history is complex. SIs can take up to a year or more to work thru.

 

[Tools]

As this is complex, multiple “issues”, I’d consult with a lawyer who has an established relationship with a aeromedical team.

I have recommendations if you ping me back channel.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

I was wondering what Avenue I should take to get my first class medical before flight school.

Get a consultation with an AME that deals with special cases *before* you try to get a medical.

I was also wondering how long it takes to get a special inssuance and how much it cost.

Can't really answer that - Though the AME you consult with probably can give you a ballpark.

Does it make it hard to get through flight school and get a first-time job with a special issuance.

Flight schools and employers don't care if you have a special issuance. Do you have at least the class of medical required for the operation? Yes? Done.

Would it be wise to start with my second or third class medical then later on apply for my first class?

If you plan to have a job someday that will require a first class, you should try to get the first class now so that you don't sink 6 figures into flight training only to find that you can't get the class of medical you need.

Since you're under 40, and thus you get third class privileges for 5 years, once you're up for renewal you can get whatever class you need. However, DO NOT put yourself in a situation where you need to "upgrade" a medical within three months of receiving the previous one. That auto-flags in the FAA system (I guess they think it's evidence of "AME shopping") and they won't be able to issue the medical in office, you'll need to wait for OKC to do it, leading to lengthy delays.

Good luck.

 

[Ed Haywood]

The anxiety med is not a big deal by itself. If you were diagnosed with not more than 2 conditions, received only one med at a time, and have been off the med for over 2 years with no recurrence, the AME can approve you without deferral or special issuance. Look up "AME anxiety depression tool" for the details.

I cannot speak to the DUI, but from what Dr Bruce has said numerous times on this forum, that can be a much more onerous process. To get an idea, search for DUI on this forum and read all comments by user @bbchien.

 

[flyingron]

You need to pull together all the records you can from the DUI charge (including the BAC), ten years driving history from everywhere you've lived to show that's the only one, write a personal statement explaining what happened, what treatment you've received, and how you've turned your life around (Son, have you rehabilitated yourself?).

Similarly, I'd be pulling together my medical records from the treatment and anything you've got to show the discontinuance and subsequent mental health.

Then, I'd sit down and have a frank pre-application consult with a good AME.

 

[Wind man-77]

As this is complex, multiple “issues”, I’d consult with a lawyer who has an established relationship with a aeromedical team.

I have recommendations if you ping me back channel.

I would ping you but I’m honestly not sure how

 

[Wind man-77]

Many thanks to all of you for all of the help. I really do appreciate it a lot. You guys are a great resource.
Does anyone on here know how to ping or have any sort of way to contact Dr. Bruce Chien. I would like to reach out and see if he would be interested in taking my case or at least pointing me in the right direction. I’m nervous. I’m going to mess this up and never get to become a pilot.

 

[AvNavCom]

Many thanks to all of you for all of the help. I really do appreciate it a lot. You guys are a great resource.
Does anyone on here know how to ping or have any sort of way to contact Dr. Bruce Chien. I would like to reach out and see if he would be interested in taking my case or at least pointing me in the right direction. I’m nervous. I’m going to mess this up and never get to become a pilot.

You can contact him here.

 

[Ed Haywood]

Many thanks to all of you for all of the help. I really do appreciate it a lot. You guys are a great resource.
Does anyone on here know how to ping or have any sort of way to contact Dr. Bruce Chien. I would like to reach out and see if he would be interested in taking my case or at least pointing me in the right direction. I’m nervous. I’m going to mess this up and never get to become a pilot.

You have the right attitude. If you listen to Bruce, he'll get you through this.

 

[Wind man-77]

Does anyone know if you get a special issuance medical for past anxiety if you have to get a special every year or just two years then you get a normal Medical like everyone else

 

[Ed Haywood]

Does anyone know if you get a special issuance medical for past anxiety if you have to get a special every year or just two years then you get a normal Medical like everyone else

You don't necessarily need a special issuance for past anxiety. Depending on the specifics of the diagnosis, medication, and recovery, you may be able to get a normal medical like everyone else. Check out the FAA anxiety and depression tool.