AME experience

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rfbdorf

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Richard Berthelsdorf
This happened to a friend of mine recently...
He called to make an appointment with an AME whom he had never seen before. The AME's secretary told him that the doc likes to schedule his airman's exams himself, and that the doc would call back. Indeed he did, a few hours later. Friend went in & had a thorough exam. The doc said if my friend would like the certificate typed up, to leave the handwritten copy in an envelope along with a $25 check for the receptionist/typist. Friend said sure, then realized he had left his checkbook at home. Doc said "No problem," and took $25 from his own wallet! Friend said "wait, I have cash," and put that in the envelope. Then my friend asked how much was the exam; the doc said he never charges for airman's medicals! Pretty amazing, huh?
- Richard
 
rfbdorf said:
This happened to a friend of mine recently...
He called to make an appointment with an AME whom he had never seen before. The AME's secretary told him that the doc likes to schedule his airman's exams himself, and that the doc would call back. Indeed he did, a few hours later. Friend went in & had a thorough exam. The doc said if my friend would like the certificate typed up, to leave the handwritten copy in an envelope along with a $25 check for the receptionist/typist. Friend said sure, then realized he had left his checkbook at home. Doc said "No problem," and took $25 from his own wallet! Friend said "wait, I have cash," and put that in the envelope. Then my friend asked how much was the exam; the doc said he never charges for airman's medicals! Pretty amazing, huh?
- Richard
Click to expand...
Well, it just goes to show you can't really make any $$s being an AME. :)
 
rfbdorf said:
Then my friend asked how much was the exam; the doc said he never charges for airman's medicals! Pretty amazing, huh?
Click to expand...

Wow, that doc ought to get some kind of award. Of course if the word got out WRT his AME practice, he'd have to start charging given how many customers he'd have.

It's good to know there are people like him around though.:yes:
 
How DO you verify that an MD is actually an AME? Is that the only way to get the paperwork? I've heard enough stories of bogus A&Ps (we had one here for years), I've heard of an airline captain that was never properly certificated.
 
bbchien said:
Well, it just goes to show you can't really make any $$s being an AME. :)
Click to expand...

Bruce, there is a Doc just west of ORD, I can't remember his name, who makes a very nice living doing virtually nothing but aviation medicals. They are a cash business, they take 15 minutes doc time in an organized office if they are routine, and most are, they require limited investment in equipment and tools (his office reminds me of my grandmother's fromthe 60's) and the patients come back without reminding every six months. No work nights or weekends, no hospital rounds, and if something is wrong refer it out to a specialist, and oh yeah, did I mention - it's a cash business - he probably clears close to $500.00/hour.

Now there are few places in the country where you can do this, but ORD is one.

Arnold

(edits for spelling corrections)
 
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Arnold said:
Bruce, there is a Doc just west of ORD, I can't remember his name, who makes a very nice living doing virtually nothing but aviation medicals. They are a cash business, they take 15 minutes doc time in an organized office if they are routine, and most are, they require limited investment in equipment and tools (his office reminds me of my grandmother's fromthe 60's) and the patients come back without reminding every six months. No work nights or weekends, no hospital rounds, and if something is wrong refer it out to a specialist, and oh yeah, did I mention - it's a cash business - he probably clears close to $500.00/hour.

Now there are few places in the country where you can do this, but ORD is one.
Click to expand...

My AME does pretty much the same thing. I think it's a partnership with three doc's and they only do what they call "occupational medicine".
 
lancefisher said:
My AME does pretty much the same thing. I think it's a partnership with three doc's and they only do what they call "occupational medicine".
Click to expand...
Yes, there's a guy in Arizona on the field at prescott who did 1,400 last year. That's his fulltime job.
In Atlanta there's a guy who does that, too (Delta). But here in Peoria, IL you can't do that.

Bruce
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
How DO you verify that an MD is actually an AME? Is that the only way to get the paperwork? I've heard enough stories of bogus A&Ps (we had one here for years), I've heard of an airline captain that was never properly certificated.
Click to expand...

A searchable database of AMEs can be found here:
http://ame.cami.jccbi.gov/


Jeff
 
Arnold said:
Bruce, there is a Doc just west of ORD, I can't remember his name, who makes a very nice living doing virtually nothing but aviation medicals. They are a cash business, they take 15 minutes doc time in an organized office if they are routine, and most are, they require limited investment in equipment and tools (his office reminds me of my grandmother's fromthe 60's) and the patients come back without reminding every six months. No work nights or weekends, no hospital rounds, and if something is wrong refer it out to a specialist, and oh yeah, did I mention - it's a cash business - he probably clears close to $500.00/hour.

Now there are few places in the country where you can do this, but ORD is one.

Arnold

(edits for spelling corrections)
Click to expand...

THere's also a group in Cincinnati that does the same. Most of the Comair and Delta pilots go there, and some SW folks make the trek from Lexington or Louisville.
 
The AME in Dallas with whom I have done business does nothing but AME work, and I don't know anyone who doesn't have their medical in one of his printed vinyl certificate holders. When I go in there, I am almost always the only non-ATP in the waiting room, but I've always been treated well by both the doctor and his staff, and by the "grown-up professional" pilots in the waiting room. All handled very professionally, and very efficiently. I presume it is a pretty good business for the doc, as there is always a good crowd.

Amazingly enough, he himself is not a pilot.
 
bbchien said:
He should be displaying a certificate in the office which has the DOT seal on it.
Click to expand...
Thats true but I was looking for an outside confirmation, yknow how it is with certificates these days.
 
A question for the AME type's here.... I just checked all the AME's in my area (great link Jeff, thanks!) and noted under "First Class AME" either a Y or a N. Can I assume this means the AME's with a "N" are only authorized to issue a third class medical? If not, what is the significance of the Y & N ?
Thanks
 
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T Bone said:
and noted under "First Class AME" either a Y or a N. Can I assume this means the AME's with a "N" are only authorized to issue a third class medical? If not, what is the significance of the Y & N ?
Click to expand...

If it's "N", they can issue 3rd or 2nd class, not 1st. I think this is mainly because 1st requires extra hardware (an EKG) that I presume many doctors don't have. (correct, Dr. Bruce?)

Jeff
 
[ When I go in there, I am almost always the only non-ATP in the waiting room, but I've always been treated well by both the doctor and his staff, and by the "grown-up professional" pilots in the waiting room.
=================================================
Oh, so they're still putting you in with the big groups, huh Spike ;)

Don't think I've ever seen anyone else waiting when I've gone. :goofy:

He is a character!!

Best,

Dave
 
T Bone said:
A question for the AME type's here.... I just checked all the AME's in my area (great link Jeff, thanks!) and noted under "First Class AME" either a Y or a N. Can I assume this means the AME's with a "N" are only authorized to issue a third class medical? If not, what is the significance of the Y & N ?
Thanks
Click to expand...
The Y means that AME can issue 1st, 2nd or third class (FAA calls this "senior AME status". All it really means is that your "error rate" for the preceeding three years (or 6 years) was acceptable and you have been to an additional seminar, have the facilities for audiograophy and EKG. The latter two are not requirments for "N" status, in which the AME can issue seconds and thirds.
 
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