This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

My DUI was back in 2012 and I blew a .23. Fast forward 13 years, with no knowledge of any of the steps to obtain a medical, I scheduled an appointment with a regular AME, whose receptionist assured me a DUI won’t matter if it was more than 10 years ago. Welp, the doc told me it does matter, and deferred me to the FAA. 2 months later, I received a letter requesting more info and specifics about the arrest. Everything was expunged, so it was a pain trying to get ahold of the paperwork.

I mailed them the case files along with a personal statement reiterating that it was over a decade ago and how I’m a changed man, etc, etc. The letters back and forth went on for about a year, each time requesting more documents: FBI background checks, more info regarding the case, a 10 year and full driving record.

In the meantime, I did some research on the HIMS program to see what I was getting myself into. I found a local HIMS AME and the quote his receptionist gave me was obscene. I read horror stories about people jumping through FAA hoops and still waiting on their medical years later. All of this while having a much lower BAC. It was not looking good.

I found a well respected doctor out of Chicago (not close to me, I’m in Pittsburgh) and emailed him for some more info. He basically told me that my BAC is considered dependency by the FAA and the HIMS program is mandatory. 2 years of testing ($3k), weekly counselor meetings ($180 each), a cog screen ($1.2k), and a HIMS psych evaluation ($3.5k - $4k), and AA meetings sprinkled throughout. Oh, and don’t forget the random alcohol tests ($800/year). My options were all of that, or go to a “classy” rehab for 4 weeks and attend 90 AA meetings in 90 days, a brain scan by a neuropsychologist, plus appointments with a psychiatrist and a HIMS AME. He ended the conversation with “there are no outs on this one”. I’ll never forget that comment.

I believe it was the 3rd letter and 9 months later, the FAA was requesting more information on the case. At this point, I was pretty stern in my response reiterating that the information they were receiving was literally all that exists. I was at the point of giving up because there was no way I was attending rehab or getting brain scans and spending thousands proving I’m not alcohol dependent for an isolated instance that occurred over a decade ago. I ultimately mailed back my amended personal statement, along with a good old ChatGPT letter of recommendation from my Lieutenant (firefighter), and a statement from a local drug and alcohol counselor (covered by insurance) stating that I’m not an alcoholic and how I’m a pillar of the community, etc., etc.

Fast forward 3 months, I received yet another letter from the FAA. I was expecting another request for more information. But behold, my first class medical was enclosed with a letter saying don’t fuck up again and you’re good to go.

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