Sleep aptnia?

Can you have sleep aptnia as an air traffic controller?

You mean sleep apnea? No you can't have it. As a matter of fact, it is one of the few ailments that you will immediately lose your medical permanantly for. Sorry. I would not normally be so coarse but I can only assume that since you mispelled it, you don't have it.

I know alot of military folks that scammed and got an automatic 50% disability for it. Hope they knew that first. ouch.

I was in the military with someone who had SA. He was taken off status for a while until he went through a medical review. He was eventually put back on status and able to work as long as it was under control. Not sure about the FAA, but they go by the same medical regulations I think.

Yes, Jo, you can work traffic with sleep apnea. I've been doing it for several years now. There are at least three other controllers with whom I work who have sleep apnea and have reported it to the flight surgeon. You will be required to have a report submitted from your physician to the regional flight surgeon each year. The most important point of this report is that you are not experiencing daytime drowsiness. Funny for those of us who work nights. You will loose your second class medical for flying privileges. I'm not sure of the process required to return to flying status.

Good luck. Post again if you need any more information. What is the bike pictured next to your name?

Thank you for your answer SYLB. The bike is a honda vtx1300s retro. It's a very nice comfortable ride.

I have a friends at the center who ride 1300s. They are a great bikes.

Just one other thing on the apnea. Each regions (or whatever they're calling it now) flight surgeon will have a different take on what you must do to receive what they call a "special consideration." They'll send you a letter each year that sounds like a threat that they don't have to give special considerations, but they will this one time! Ha! I've been getting them for 20 years now!

Whether it's you or you're asking about apnea for a friend, please take it seriously and take care of it or encourage your friend to do so.