@Joecnnd ..... if you ever have a situation that questions your ability to obtain or renew an FAA medical of any class, then the correct course of action is to
not go to an AME for a “live” examination that proceeds to a decision of issue, defer, or deny. Rather go to the AME for a
consultation and discuss your situation.
During the consultation you can discuss your juvenile incident and the alcohol incident to find out if the combo is a show stopper (imo, they aren’t).
Be aware that, like any profession, the quality of AME runs from the Super Awesome (Like Doc Bruce) to the “I don’t care, I just wanted more alphabet behind my name”. Be ready to go somewhere else if you encounter doctors in the lower end of the spectrum. You want the docs who will take the additional time to educate, guide, and be your advocate.
This is my cut and paste item for consultations:
AME Consultations
When you set the appointment, ask for a consultation, not an examination.
If the AME or his staff ask you to fill out the MedXpress form (FAAa Form 8500-8), it is okay to do so. But be ware there is a way you get snaffoozled by the staff without you knowing about it.
At the bottom of the form when you complete it and print it is a confirmation number. If the staff takes that number and enters it into the FAA medical certification system, your consult just became a live exam. And a live exam must proceed to a decision. A decision of issue, deny or defer. You do not want this.
To avoid the snafoozle, take a pair of scissors and clip off the confirmation number. Put that in your pocket. Now the AME has the info, but no way to open your file on the FAA system.
Proceed with consultation ask your questions, get the guidance, and write down your notes.
The end of the consultation should result in one of two outcomes: (1) the AME says he has enough to issue your certificate right now; or (2) The AME educates you on the requirements and provides a list of things to obtain and bring back for the real exam.
He should also tell you if this will be an in office issuance or a situation where the FAA requires it to be a “deferral” because the issuance decision must be made at a higher level. If deferral, do find out if the AME will go above and beyond as your advocate to make sure the application doesn’t get hung up in channels