Cabin Crew Medicals

[FlyBoi]

Hi, can anyone tell me exactly what's involved in the medical before commencing training? Any comments would be appreciated, but specifically to V.Atlantic would be great!

[brownbat]

Hmmmm.....
I remember a blood pressure check (which almost did in a couple of older candidates), a urine check for drugs (which worried a couple of younger candidates) , a vision test and a hearing test, having to lift and haul a very heavy bag about five feet across the floor...that's all I can recall. Anyone else?? :tongue_2:

[FlyBoi]

Hey that's usefull, thanks. Any ideas on what the vision requirements are?

[brownbat]

Your vision has to be correctable to a certain level. Glasses or contact lenses are okay. The requirements vary slightly among the companies. Maybe someone else can supply the specifics.

I know a number of people with "bad eyes" who are working as flight attendants. :cool_2:

[FlyBoi]

I gave virgin a call, and apparently it has to be 6/9 (or 20/25 I think). Off to get them checked out at the opticians tomorrow!

[SFOFlyboy]

Curious... when you say 20/25... I presume that you mean your vision has to be correctable to 20/25..... otherwise no Virgin FA could be wearing glasses!

I know at AS that your vision has to be correctable to 20/20 (and most people can be corrected with glasses/contacts)...

For AS we had to do a physical agility test which involved lifting, reaching, stooping, etc... and of course the required drug/alcohol screen...

[FlyBoi]

Hi,

Yeah sorry I didn't make that very clear did I? :smirk:

You're vision (after correction) needs to be at least 6/9. Well, i went to the opticians this morning to have them checked, and it came out at around 6/6, with my left eye not being quite so spot on as my right. Much better than 6/9 though so I'm sure I'll be fine.

Just out of interest, when they test your eyes, is it like a proper chart to read of like at the opticians?

It's surprising that they do the medical just before your training starts, instead of like, after your interview. If you did unexpectedly fail, then I'm sure you'd be pretty annoyed (and jobless!) :crazy:

Anyway, must stop worrying about it now! lol

[SFOFlyboy]

Well actually they did our physical screening before I quit my former life... I was hired 12MAR, did my physical agility test 2 weeks later before I gave notice...
of course the shorter time difference between interview and training would make that MUCH dicier!

I had my eyes fixed 3.5 years ago... LASIK... and man it has made all the difference in the world for me... I was 20/600 (6/182 for the metrics) in both eyes... essentially when I took my glasses off I was legally blind...

After the process I was (and still AM) 20/15 (6/4 metric) in BOTH eyes...

[FlyBoi]

Yeah, I'm pretty blind without my glasses/lenses too! Lenses give me good vision though.
Apparently if the Virgin's medical dept haven't contacted me then I don't need a medical at all. Had to fill in a huge quastionnaire though.

[Tay]

Hi Guys...

I've been in training for a flight attendant for a few days now and was just called by the medical center at home and left a message saying for me to call them back.. I have to go through the weekdend wondering why!!! During the medical exam they checked all the usual stuff and I was fine and then I was asked to leave my urine. I've never used drugs. I am on paxil for anxiety and told them upfront and my doctor sent them the letter they required stating I'm stable and asymptamatic. Does anyone have an idea what it could be?????

Taylor

[BobbieSullivan]

Hi Taylor -

It may indeed be the Paxil. I just helped another flight attendant with this issue. It turns out that people taking Paxil, Prozac, and other drugs in that same class, sometimes show a false positive for benzodiazepines on a drug screen. (Benzodiazepines are a class of tranquilizer). This happens most often when a method called "immunoassay" is used for the drug test.

Likewise, over the counter cold medicines, esp. sudafed, can register a false positive for amphetamine.

This misreading can be cleared up if they test again using a method called "gas chromatography-mass spectography," but employers usually does not use this method because it is more expensive.

The fact that you were honest about being on the medication, and that your doc has supplied a letter with details will probably work in your favor if it is a false positive on the drug screen.

Then again, it could be something entirely different... :confus_2:

[Tay]

Bobbie,

Thank you soooo much for your information! You are so helpful. I really appreciate it. It rests my mind at ease slightly. Do you think it will stop me from getting the job? I really hope not. I would be so disappointed.

I was also thinking yesterday that because the medical clinic called and not the company that maybe that's a good sign and they may just want to retest my urine. What do you think about that?

Thanks again.

Tay

[DreamOfCXYYZ]

what if a person takes prescription medication everyday...does that affect their chances of getting hired as a cabin crew?

[Tay]

Depending on what medication you're on and depending on what your past medical history is. Air Canada requires you to pass a medical before you're hired.

Tay

[Yukichichiri]

Hello everyone!

Nice topic! I am interested in knowing the complete medical procedures and tests which are needed for Air Canada. Is it same as the standard clinical medical examinations? Thank you! and Appreciated!