Hello all!
I am a Type One Diabetic and have been since 2011. I turn 23 this November and have been a 911 dispatcher for over 3 years now. Do any of you happen to know another insulin dependent person in your facility? How strenuous is the medical process while undergoing the hiring process?
Any thoughts or extra feedback is greatly appreciated! (For context, I’ve taken good care of my Diabetes since my diagnosis).
I have had a co-worker with type 1 diabetes. It was a tremendous hassle for him to get a medical, requiring at least 6 months to get clearance. I recommend you apply when the chance presents itself and be prepared for a long wait.
I worked with another person who was type one, so you absolutely can be type 1 and a controller. Roughly 2 years ago the FAA allowed type 1 commercial pilots, so I very much hope that that loosened the hoops a controller with type 1 would have to jump through. I see you said you have a CGM so there really shouldn’t be a reason to do the 6 month thing anymore. You could give them 6 months of data and an A1C and I would HOPE you’d be good to go! The only issue is they won’t let you work a midnight shift. Midnight shift consists of 2 people (in a tower) but there are times when you are alone. I trade out of my midnight ever week because I don’t want to die early.
It is possible that you may very well be able to direct air traffic if you are taking insulin. As with many other careers that have previously been inaccessible to people with diabetes, there are now case-by-case medical evaluations that are conducted for candidates interested in the field.
Even if you meet the criteria, you must demonstrate that your diabetes has been well managed for at least 6 months before applying and have achieved an appropriate level of control. Training to become an Air Traffic Controller is very expensive, therefore one must ensure that they meet all of the criteria before spending the time and resources towards it.
Normally, the waiver process for the FAA is not considered controversial. There are many other chronic medical conditions that could render you unsafe to perform Air Traffic Control duties. As long as a person can show that their chronic condition does not cause problems with safely performing their duties, they will be issued a medical certificate to that effect.
People with diabetes requiring insulin are considered high risk when working as an Air Traffic Controller. It can be controversial to certify these persons for the position. There have been approximately 20 Air Traffic Controllers over the past two decades who are certified for Air Traffic Control. Because several episodes of hypoglycemia among these people were a concern, their medical waivers were pulled.
In 2011, the FAA convened a team of endocrinologists to come up with ways to know which insulin requiring persons would be at risk of safety issues in the tower. The research would allow for each individual to be evaluated and find out whether or not they safely perform the duties of Air Traffic Controller. The team of endocrinologists determined that it would be possible for someone with diabetes who requires insulin to work in Air Traffic Control, as long as they meet certain conditions. Ten of the twenty Air Traffic Controllers with diabetes were allowed to resume their duties as a result of this team’s findings.
I work with a type 1 diabetic and I am type 2 . You basically have to prove that you have it well controlled, and re-prove it whenever they ask. So they will ask for a bunch of records and have your endocrinologist/Dr fill out a questionnaire. They will take their sweet time evaluating it, And Will make it very clear that they are under no obligation to grant you a medical.. so be prepared to run through a bunch of hoops, and it will all be at your own expense.
You will have to get a special issuance medical clearance that you have to get re-cleared every 6 month or every year depending on what the FAA feels like at the time..