# Idaho doctor: Vaccinated pilots should be grounded **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [January 6, 2022, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335 "2022-01-06T17:52:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/1 "2022-01-06T17:52:02Z")
An Idaho doctor that is already under investigation for anti-vaccine comments joined others in sending a letter to the FAA demanding vaccinated pilots to be grounded. Personally if I was going to fly, I would prefer a vaccinated pilot. The stupidity is spreading. [https://idahocapitalsun.com/2022/01/05/idaho-doctor-co-signs-letter-demanding-the-faa-airlines-ground-vaccinated-pilots/](https://idahocapitalsun.com/2022/01/05/idaho-doctor-co-signs-letter-demanding-the-faa-airlines-ground-vaccinated-pilots/) ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/2 "2022-01-06T18:42:24Z")
Must not want the 5G to screw with the pilots AND the planes that are landing. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/3 "2022-01-06T18:46:51Z")
> [@Edward\_The\_Head](#): > > Must not want the 5G to screw with the pilots AND the planes that are landing. - How can planes even take off under 5G? ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/4 "2022-01-06T18:54:56Z")
I’m not sure the QZ is the right forum for this, but anyway, obviously that doctor is an idiot. I would love to see a vaccine mandate to fly domestically (it’s basically already in place for international flying, due to restrictions from other countries). Not because flying is necessarily unsafe, but because it would be a great incentive to get vaccinated. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/5 "2022-01-06T19:04:57Z")
Forget it, **racer**. It’s Idaho. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/6 "2022-01-06T19:18:17Z")
To use the same logic as the ‘if you’re to scared to go anywhere, you can choose to stay home’ crowd, if he’s scared of pilots that have been vaccinated, he’s free to find a different pilot. In fact, that goes for any of the people that, for some reason, believe that the _vaccine_ is contagious. The doctor says pilots should not receive medical certificates “without clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration” if they take certain drugs. The list includes any medications the FDA “approved less than 12 months ago.”" It does appear to say that (I didn’t dig very deep into the nuances of all this), however, the Flight Air Surgeon [stated](https://www.faa.gov/coronavirus/guidance_resources/vaccine_faq/) > The Federal Air Surgeon determined that FAA medical certificate holders may not act as pilot in command, or in any other capacity as a required flightcrew member, for 48 hours after each dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. The Federal Air Surgeon made this determination after evaluation of available medical information about these COVID-19 vaccines and potential side effects. As a result of this determination and consistent with 14 CFR § 61.53(a), each person subject to part 67 who receives the vaccine must wait 48 hours after each dose before acting as pilot in command or as a required flightcrew member. > It goes on to say that if the pilot is still feeling the effects after the 48 hour period they can’t fly then either. In the end, it won’t matter. The first vaccine (fully) approved was in August, so if it really came down to that, it would only ground pilots until then (when the ones that took that vaccine could come back). But there’s just going to be another and another and another thing. If this were actually something serious instead of an anti-vaxxer, who we should be ignoring instead of writing articles about, an argument could hopefully be made that since the EUA went into effect over a year ago, we’re in the clear. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/7 "2022-01-06T19:45:43Z")
Well, what if Bill Gates activates his mind control microchip right when the pilot is performing a complex maneuver like landing or taking off? ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/8 "2022-01-06T19:53:36Z")
That depends. Is the plane taking off from a treadmill or a standard runway? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/9 "2022-01-06T20:00:43Z")
Idaho-Proof that The South extends to the Canadian border. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/10 "2022-01-07T19:55:07Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > How can planes even take off under 5G? Black hat guy: What if we tried more power? ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/11 "2022-01-07T19:58:54Z")
I love that book. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/12 "2022-01-07T20:54:42Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Idaho-Proof that The South extends to the Canadian border. Alberta-Proof that The South extends past the Canadian border. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/13 "2022-01-07T21:55:52Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > I would love to see a vaccine mandate to fly domestically (it’s basically already in place for international flying, due to restrictions from other countries). Not because flying is necessarily unsafe, but because it would be a great incentive to get vaccinated. Quebec just announced proof of vaccination will be required to shop at liquor or cannabis stores. _That’s_ a great incentive to get vaccinated. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/14 "2022-01-07T22:03:47Z")
Did you ever look at your vaccine card? I mean, _really_ look at your vaccine card? ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/15 "2022-01-07T22:10:50Z")
Maybe the doctor suffers from [anal bleeding](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWhZvkyvTwk&t=91s&ab_channel=DavidPakmanShow) while near vaccinated people. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/16 "2022-01-07T22:23:38Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Forget it, **racer**. It’s Idaho. Something in the potatoes? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/17 "2022-01-07T23:45:47Z")
Reading the article, I noticed a couple of things. The letter was also co-signed by two other interesting individuals, one of which was Dr. Peter McCullough, a discredited quack who’s been pushing COVID vaccine falsehoods while falsely representing himself as a senior medical specialist at Baylor University Medical Center, for which Baylor is now suing him. The other signer was the distinguished anti-vax crackpot Robert Kennedy Jr, who opposes all vaccines, not just the COVID ones. So Dr. Cole is in good company! The other thing I noticed was the claim that the COVID vaccine "would cause “a pilot (to lose) control of his aircraft” and lead to “untold devastation.” The subtle implication here is that the COVID vaccine could cause a pilot to lose his mind. “Why not?” Dr. Cole might have added, “I lost mine years ago!”. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/18 "2022-01-08T00:08:48Z")
Quacks like the so-called doctor referred to in the OP should lose their licenses and, if this is a thing, the university which granted them their medical degree should rescind the degree. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/19 "2022-01-08T00:37:11Z")
His license may be at risk, or other sanctions may be possible, on the basis of complaints already filed against him in two states: > **[‘A health menace’: Doctors urge medical board to take action against Dr. Ryan...](https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/investigations/7-investigates/records-from-washington-investigation-detail-complaints-against-dr-ryan-cole-washington-medical-commission/277-294e1b14-3562-4f49-8ca1-618407ad57f7)** > > Records obtained from the Washington Medical Commission detail complaints about the Garden City pathologist. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335/20 "2022-01-08T00:56:23Z")
There isn’t much that pisses me off more than vaccinated pilots. I, for one, am glad that crazy Idaho doctor is making a stand. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idaho-doctor-vaccinated-pilots-should-be-grounded/957335.md?page=2)