I was, at one time, an Army Medevac pilot.

I entered civilian EMS in 1986.

At that time, working conditions on the civilian side were deplorable, FAA oversight negligible (72 hours on, 48 off, 24 on call), essentially no wx mins, etc. But, we were, at that time, a "third crewmember" for patient care...a team looking out for each other AND the patient...through the FAA and Union representation they improved...for a time....  

My first chief flight nurse, 1986, drummed into me that I had to look to the complete flight profile..acceptance, patient pick up, delivery to recieving facility and RTB.

Now, I find myself called on the carpet, more than once, for asking questions regarding simple things such as part 135 planning for reasonable expectations for "late flights", that could be accomplished without leaving the crew at the sending facility (with a possible wait of an hour or more for ground transportation to the sending facility with a ground component to get the crew to the patient for packaging)...none of this is my concern anymore, I'm told.

I used to be proud of what I do, now, I'm just an UBER/LYFT driver, who was personaly challenged in my community not long ago, about the bill a family received for a non-emergent transport...my response, "They push the button, we go."

Bottom line, to you young folks looking at "opportunities", stay away, stay very far away from this...

I have no idea what you're talking about as far as those late flights. Dropping crew and ground ambulance and waiting for what? What's going on? You lost me.

Why were you listening to a nurse in 1986 about what your job is?

If you get hassled by somebody over a bill, that's their problem. Has nothing to do with you and any idiot would know this. Also, the word emergent has nothing to do with emergency, so stop using it that way.

Ok three or four things. Sounds like you either work at crappy place or this is all bs. Probably the latter.

the n a z i s tried the "just following orders" thing too. it didn't work.

my non profit hospital holds the certificate. They dumped the useless vendor a while back. Nobody gets chased down if they can't pay up. All the crew are paid WELL above the laughable offerings of the vendors, pilots and med mob alike. We all get euro style vacation and benefits. Working for gutter outfits like AMC and Metro is nothing more than being a prostitute. I am proud of what I do and who I work for. So choose carefully people. There are superb HAA jobs out there if you're prepared to kick the sh*t to the gutter. 

You claim you are a "non profit" and don't chase anyone down if they can't pay up.  Well, that's because, as a non-profit, you beg the public for "donations" and ask for grants and corporate money to cover the costs of your elaborate operations, while STILL billing the insurance companies for full reimbursements.   Your pay and salaries pockets are elaborate too, even though you boast being a "non profit"   

So, please don't attempt to disparage the legitimate HAA company here.  Personally, If you are a non-profit taking outside money, you shouldn't be allowed to bill the insurance companies, IMHO.

To the med crew.

Why would you expect to be treated differently from those who do not respect you?

Thanks RMH 1986 for your post. I too see the way this industry has gone. It was nice back in the day when pilot and MedCrew truly worked as a team. We ate together, watched TV, exercised (and somtimes we slept together). Now it seems everyone is looking over thier shoulder not knowing who to trust.

Max out that 401K so when your day comes you are financially stable.

 used to be fun and an admirable endeavor.

HAA isn't much different than the over regulated, over managed, and over fiddled with rest of the industry.

Suggest anything else along with flying sailplanes for sport.

Commercial flying su ch s.

EMS pilot without telling me you're pretending to be an EMS pilot. Easiest job on the planet most days. Get real.

English is ur second language.

Ur excused for lack of understandings.

Have mucho good days.

another beer, you need it.