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On March 18, 2025, The New York Times published a story about Troy Merrit, a 30-year-old airline pilot, highlighting his struggles with mental health despite achieving his dream of flying for a large US airline. Merrit described experiencing severe emotional distress but initially felt unable to seek help.
The article also discussed an incident involving Joseph Emerson, a jump-seating captain on an Alaska Airlines Embraer, who cut off the fuel lines mid-flight while battling his own mental health issues. Emerson, who had turned to alcohol and mushrooms, was detained and charged, shedding light on the hidden mental health struggles of pilots.
Becoming an airline pilot involves extensive training and certifications, which are evaluated for mental health. As per regulations, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) disqualifies certain mental disorders and any symptoms can result in losing a pilot's license. The process for evaluation is invasive, requiring pilots to report healthcare visits and undergo lengthy reviews if mental health conditions arise. The FAA's regulations include limited approval for specific antidepressants.
