How long is Transport Canada processing time for Class 1 medical

[travelisfun]

Has TC caught up with its backlogs? Is the processing time for Class 1 medicals still months, or is the processing time back to pre-covid

[photofly]

Still in the years-to-decades range, I think.

[prop2jet]

I think you are looking at anywhere from 12 to 18 months or more. There were issues pre-covid (at the time 3 months). Ask anyone who has had their medical stamped by their CAME, it is likely you will hear they have not been billed by TC in close to 3 years. There may be some differences in the region you happen to be in as well. Suffice to say it will be a long wait.

[McKinley]

My Came, union and insurance provider have quoted me 9-18 months at least.

People have gone off for simple issues that are quickly resolved after a Few months and they’re still off 6+- 12 months later.

There’s several avenues:

1) Call your CAME
2) Call your RAMO( TC claims they will get back to you in a timely fashion)

3) You could talk to your local opposition MP. However, when you do so, make sure you put where you are in the application process IN WRITING and the date you submitted your medical. This option runs the risk of making TC upset. TC does not want you talking to you MP and wants you to follow the chain of command and wait in line .. given their workload this is somewhat understandable.

I ended up calling my MP on behalf of my colleagues who are going the process and are in some legitimately tight spots financially and as someone who is beginning to start the RTW a process. This part got lost in translation and it ended up not going overly well for me.. have a paper trail with respect to what you are saying and to whom.

I did learn that TC is working hard on the issue and aviation safety is paramount. In hindsight, I could have been more considerate, empathetic/ compassionate to their present workload/ issues and how overwhelmed the system is and how hard they are trying on our behalf. The flip side is that people are unable to work, this issue has gained media attention, and I don’t think this is a reasonable timeframe given what the industry has gone through.

I wish I had more insight to why this was occurring …

Maybe the best thing for us / me to do is hang tight, plan and prepare like the professionals we are maybe that will help the process.

While you are off… if you are waiting…I’d recommend picking up a trade, find an alternate career, start a side hustle / hustle to keep yourself above water financially

[TailwheelPilot]

I don't get why TC is so far behind on paperwork issues after covid...did anyone at TC even get laid off?

As government employees doing paperwork exercises, it seems like it would have been rather straight forward to review medical files, ATPL applications, etc while working from home...

[Cap'n P8]

Good for thought…back in May I submitted everything, emailed the RAMO, got a reply back the following day. He advised that everything was good and that I was good to go as soon as I got the sticker. He said there was a few weeks backlog.

So…I called printing office, they couldn’t tell me how long it’d take. Got her to transfer me to a licensing officer. She offered a simple solution…pay $40 for a temporary medical certificate. Talked to her on a Friday had it in hand Tuesday.

Now, on premise, I think it’s bullshit to have to pay, when it’s their backlog, but it did get me back in the game sooner. Funny enough I got the sticker in the mail the next week.

I think it’s hit or miss depending on the region you’re in. My health issue was atrial fibrillation…

[photofly]

I don't get why TC is so far behind on paperwork issues after covid...did anyone at TC even get laid off?

As government employees doing paperwork exercises, it seems like it would have been rather straight forward to review medical files, ATPL applications, etc while working from home...

It‘s because every medical application has to be approved by the RAMO (Regional Aviation Medical Officer) in your region, who is a qualified physician with the appropriate specialisms, and at the start of the pandemic most of them quit or retired. And no other doctors want to go and be a desk-doctor for the government doing nothing but approving medical all day. Would you?

So one doctor (or, it could be two) has been doing the workload for the entire country.

[Aviatard]

It‘s because every medical application has to be approved by the RAMO (Regional Aviation Medical Officer) in your region, who is a qualified physician with the appropriate specialisms, and at the start of the pandemic most of them quit or retired. And no other doctors want to go and be a desk-doctor for the government doing nothing but approving medical all day. Would you?

So one doctor (or, it could be two) has been doing the workload for the entire country.

Transport also doesn’t pay very well. I stumbled across a contract for one of the RAMO while looking for his contact information and it was something like $112,000. Makes me wonder if they’re part timers because that seems pretty low for a doctor.

[photofly]

Found this:

Ontario Flag
Regional Aviation Medical Officer (RAMO)

March 10, 2021
Job number: p21572154

Location: Ottawa (ON)

Employer: Transport Canada

Salary: $189,783 to $208,999

Job Description and Application Process:
http://www.jobbank.gc.ca /jobsearch/jobposting/34016701

CanadaGovernmentJobs.ca provides access to federal job opportunities posted on the Government of Canada Job Bank. Positions available in major cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, London, Kingston, and small communities throughout Ontario.

[LR2000]

You all are calling your RAMO? I heard this was a big nono and they will boot your case to the bottom of the que. I would like to call and just ask if everything i presented to the RAMO from my CAME is sufficient. It might be redundant or irrelevant but I have a mortgage coming soon and would like my full salary instead of my disability pay to support that.

[philaviate]

My Came, union and insurance provider have quoted me 9-18 months at least.

People have gone off for simple issues that are quickly resolved after a Few months and they’re still off 6+- 12 months later.

There’s several avenues:

1) Call your CAME
2) Call your RAMO( TC claims they will get back to you in a timely fashion)

3) You could talk to your local opposition MP. However, when you do so, make sure you put where you are in the application process IN WRITING and the date you submitted your medical. This option runs the risk of making TC upset. TC does not want you talking to you MP and wants you to follow the chain of command and wait in line .. given their workload this is somewhat understandable.

I ended up calling my MP on behalf of my colleagues who are going the process and are in some legitimately tight spots financially and as someone who is beginning to start the RTW a process. This part got lost in translation and it ended up not going overly well for me.. have a paper trail with respect to what you are saying and to whom.

I did learn that TC is working hard on the issue and aviation safety is paramount. In hindsight, I could have been more considerate, empathetic/ compassionate to their present workload/ issues and how overwhelmed the system is and how hard they are trying on our behalf. The flip side is that people are unable to work, this issue has gained media attention, and I don’t think this is a reasonable timeframe given what the industry has gone through.

I wish I had more insight to why this was occurring …

Maybe the best thing for us / me to do is hang tight, plan and prepare like the professionals we are maybe that will help the process.

While you are off… if you are waiting…I’d recommend picking up a trade, find an alternate career, start a side hustle / hustle to keep yourself above water financially

More reason to call your mp. If everyone does it they can be as pissed as they like. Who cares?

These lazy bureaucrats, throughout government not just TC, need reminding that they are public servants.
They work for us, at our behest, and their years of idling at home while pretending to be as productive as in the office should be over.

We need to scrap about 75% of government and make the other 25% work like normal people, then we might have service befitting our sky high taxes.

[Red_Comet]

Unfortunately it's obvious that the current federal government has no interest in improving the lives of its citizens. This can be seen in the rapid decline of every aspect of life over the past decade. Can someone actually tell me what has improved in Canada during this period? I honestly can't think of anything. Is there anyone who wouldn't snap their fingers and go back to 2015? That really shows you the reality of our situation. Whoever our elites are serving, it isn't us.

[godsrcrazy]

I have been jumping through hoops since June 2025. When i questioned what's going on with my medical i received a registered letter 2 weeks later. First letter was 7 items. I am now at 12 items. Last was submitted over 2 weeks ago. Still no word. My Doctor has spoke to them at least 3 times. She cannot believe what is going on. She can't understand what even brought this on. Not sure if I pissed someone off our what. They have wanted more blood work, Stress test, Hearing Test and the latest is a Sleep test. Along with a letter from my family doctor on any Meds i am taking. Unfortunately none of these are free and all have wait times.

I am not the only person in this position. There are a lot of others. I believe this has all started with a new Doctor that was hired to head up Transport Canada medicals.

[FL030]

I have been jumping through hoops since June 2025. When i questioned what's going on with my medical i received a registered letter 2 weeks later. First letter was 7 items. I am now at 12 items. Last was submitted over 2 weeks ago. Still no word. My Doctor has spoke to them at least 3 times. She cannot believe what is going on. She can't understand what even brought this on. Not sure if I pissed someone off our what. They have wanted more blood work, Stress test, Hearing Test and the latest is a Sleep test. Along with a letter from my family doctor on any Meds i am taking. Unfortunately none of these are free and all have wait times.

I am not the only person in this position. There are a lot of others. I believe this has all started with a new Doctor that was hired to head up Transport Canada medicals.

This is what drives me nuts. Just tell me everything you want from the beginning. Don't make me submit everything you asked for, then ask for more things after I passed all your original tests. It takes months to get each item completed because the healthcare system is in shambles.

[digits_]

I have been jumping through hoops since June 2025. When i questioned what's going on with my medical i received a registered letter 2 weeks later. First letter was 7 items. I am now at 12 items. Last was submitted over 2 weeks ago. Still no word. My Doctor has spoke to them at least 3 times. She cannot believe what is going on. She can't understand what even brought this on. Not sure if I pissed someone off our what. They have wanted more blood work, Stress test, Hearing Test and the latest is a Sleep test. Along with a letter from my family doctor on any Meds i am taking. Unfortunately none of these are free and all have wait times.

I am not the only person in this position. There are a lot of others. I believe this has all started with a new Doctor that was hired to head up Transport Canada medicals.

Did these extra tests only hold up your renewal, or did it also invalidate the medical you already held?

I am wondering if pilots expecting issues could renew a few months early to get some extra time to arrange the extra tests.

[godsrcrazy]

This invalidated my medical. I agree with FL030 not sure why they don't just ask for everything at once. Whats even more frustrating is they won't give you an explanation why they are asking for the next test. It's like we don't have to have a valid reason.

As i mentioned earlier i know I am not the only person in this position. It will only get worse when people have to release all their family medical records. I know people that don't list their medications even though they are Transport Canada approved. When they see the family records they will question why they haven't reported earlier.

[Inverted2]

Unfortunately it's obvious that the current federal government has no interest in improving the lives of its citizens. This can be seen in the rapid decline of every aspect of life over the past decade. Can someone actually tell me what has improved in Canada during this period? I honestly can't think of anything. Is there anyone who wouldn't snap their fingers and go back to 2015? That really shows you the reality of our situation. Whoever our elites are serving, it isn't us.

You nailed it. And the scary thing is everyone seems to think Carney is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Granted Trudope was awful but I don’t see things getting better anytime soon.

[Inverted2]

I have been jumping through hoops since June 2025. When i questioned what's going on with my medical i received a registered letter 2 weeks later. First letter was 7 items. I am now at 12 items. Last was submitted over 2 weeks ago. Still no word. My Doctor has spoke to them at least 3 times. She cannot believe what is going on. She can't understand what even brought this on. Not sure if I pissed someone off our what. They have wanted more blood work, Stress test, Hearing Test and the latest is a Sleep test. Along with a letter from my family doctor on any Meds i am taking. Unfortunately none of these are free and all have wait times.

I am not the only person in this position. There are a lot of others. I believe this has all started with a new Doctor that was hired to head up Transport Canada medicals.

Have you considered legal action? I know someone who sicked a lawyer on them and got their medical back shortly afterwards.

[godsrcrazy]

I have been jumping through hoops since June 2025. When i questioned what's going on with my medical i received a registered letter 2 weeks later. First letter was 7 items. I am now at 12 items. Last was submitted over 2 weeks ago. Still no word. My Doctor has spoke to them at least 3 times. She cannot believe what is going on. She can't understand what even brought this on. Not sure if I pissed someone off our what. They have wanted more blood work, Stress test, Hearing Test and the latest is a Sleep test. Along with a letter from my family doctor on any Meds i am taking. Unfortunately none of these are free and all have wait times.

I am not the only person in this position. There are a lot of others. I believe this has all started with a new Doctor that was hired to head up Transport Canada medicals.

Have you considered legal action? I know someone who sicked a lawyer on them and got their medical back shortly afterwards.

Yes i have considered Legal action. I also know a person that took Legal action. Unfortunately i think it back fired. He goes on eternal hold for returned calls and emails. They are asking for things now they can justify on every one of us.

I think the only thing that will detour them is a Class action law suit. This is a David and Goliath thing. Government Budget for Lawyers is endless when it comes to litigation.