I have been a physician for over 35 years and been called upon on numerous flights for med emergencies. The majority seem to have been on IAD-SFO transcons on UA, given that I go to Wash, DC a lot to see elected officials.

They always ask for medical ID (I give it). In most cases on the SFO-IAD route there are as many as 10 or more physicians on the flight. I often get told to chill---some other doc has got it. I don't mind. I'm a surgeon and direct most of the busy trauma centers in the SF Bay area.

I'm usually glad in 2 priority scenarios: 1) The pax is OK 2) we don't get diverted (mildly selfish). As prior posters have mentioned, it is impressive how expeditiously the flight goes--getting to the airport--once the pilot has declared the emergency.

OTOH, there is the ritual where everyone must freeze in his or her seat whilst paramedics come on board. Mild tradeoff. Also, more than once, have had emergencies on LHR-SFO. Don't ask me why the pax gets in trouble on the last hour of a 10.5 hr flight.

I used to get a $200 or more electronic cert from UA if I actually evaluated the pax. The ritual was the FA would take my name (knew my seat number, etc). I turned it down a couple of times when I thought it was a non-event.

There were times when several docs were conferring on a pax by committee before my entrance on the scene. I always ducked (most of these are medical---I'm a trauma surgeon---I stop bleeding or a living mostly, so I'm not the main guy). I'm pretty sure they quit handing the certs out when multitudes of docs appeared. Just as well.

At any rate, the priorities for med emergencies seem to go ok when physicians are needed at flight level 370. FA's know their job quite well and do it. They're primarily there for everyone's safety. I'm still amazed at how many MD's are routinely seated on IAD-SFO flights, though.