Message Boards for the CF Trust

Replies: 4 Pages: 1

Matthew

Posts: 31
From: Amesbury
Registered: 06-Nov-2006

Continuous Flying
Posted: 07-Dec-2006 16:23

Reply

Hi
Bit of a random question I know but does anyone know if flying a lot can decrease your level of lung function? The reason I ask is because of a job that Ive been offered. Ive flown a lot in the past but the job Ive been offered involves a lot more time spent flying. On a daily basis.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers
Matt

trollydolly

Posts: 38
From: west sussex
Registered: 26-Nov-2006

Re: Continuous Flying
Posted: 07-Dec-2006 18:56

Reply

Hi Matthew,

Are you talking about flying as Cabin Crew?

I am actually Cabin Crew, have done this job for 25 years, so any questions you have fire away.

Love,
Trollydolly x

Emma S

Posts: 59
From: Battle, East Sussex
Registered: 06-Nov-2006

Re: Continuous Flying
Posted: 07-Dec-2006 19:43

Reply

do you have to have regular medicals for flying in your work. Although Jasmine is only 6 she REALLY wants to be a pilot, and has done since she was 2, so was wondering...?
emma x

NorthernStar

Posts: 24
Registered: 02-Dec-2006

Re: Continuous Flying
Posted: 07-Dec-2006 20:00

Reply

Emma S - have a chat with Jacarr - he has CF and has pilots license.

trollydolly

Posts: 38
From: west sussex
Registered: 26-Nov-2006

Re: Continuous Flying
Posted: 07-Dec-2006 21:21

Reply

Hi Emma,

In my company, cabin crew dont have regular medicals but pilots do.

A medical is carried out before they offer you a contract too I think. I know I got one many years ago.

Anyone can get a Private Pilots License if they pay for it, but to get a commercial license, is much more strict as its all governed by the Civil Aviation Authority.

The air on board an aircraft is circulated all the time, so its the same air going round and round.If someone has a cold or flu, then a lot of the passengers will get it too. The cabin is pressurised to an altitude of about 8-10,000 feet, so I dont think it would be advisable for someone with a lung condition to fly as a career. Because of the cabin altitude, you also get much more tired than you would do on the ground, thats why there are such strict rules on flying hours. They say an hour working up there is the same as two on the ground.

There was a study done a few years ago on the effect flyng has on crew, and it was never published.

We cannot give blood and some even say our organs are no good after having flown for 2 years. We are also exposed to Cosmic Radiation and we can check our levels with the company. I have never bothered as I dont want to scare myself.

There is also quite a high level of certain illnesses and I know at least 5 of my colleagues who have died of breast cancer. I have 3 friends who cannot carry babies as theyre bodies reject their own embryos. I dont think this can be coincidence as all 3 people have been told the same thing. One of them has been told by a fertility specialist that he will not treat her any more unless she stops flying. There seems to be a lot of fertility problems within the flying community. Im so glad I had my kids young.

I have done this job for 25 years now and I still love it, but there are risks which are not published. My daughter has CF and no way would I want her to fly as a career. The company wouldnt be very happy either if they had lots of medical bills from around the world if a crew member got ill. Especially in the States.

I really honestly can say that I dont think an airline would employ someone with CF. Not because they would be discriminating, but because the person could potentially become worse and they wouldnt want a law suit on their hands.

Hope this helps and answers some of your questions. I will ask my manager the next time I go into work, I will be intersted to hear what he says.

Trollydolly
xxxx