Originally Posted by
plasticpi
Why? What difference does it make to you if your co-workers smoke? I think Alaska is overstepping it's bounds as to what it can rightfully limit it's employees to.
I understand if they want to create and enforce rules as to where/when crews may smoke, but to say that you can't use it at all, even in your own time, that's absurd.
I'd even go so far as to say that it's ok to limit the crews to smoking only before and after their duty time. But I don't think anyone needs to tell anyone else what they can do in their own time, that is unless they decide that nicotine in your system poses a serious safety of flight issue, and I think that should be up to the FAA to decide.
I don't think it's absurd in the least. I'm the last person you're going to convince otherwise. Someone who doesn't smoke is going to be in much better health than those who do, hence more productive and alert. Personally, I don't think the health standards are tight enough for obtaining a medical. If you smoke, no medical for you; that's how I feel about it.
On more fundamental note, why wouldn't you quit? Why would you want to engage in a habit that is not only bad for you but bad for everyone else in your presence? Second hand smoke is a killer and just as bad if not worse. I've seen pilots smoking while in uniform and it looks just flat out unprofessional and gives the compnay they work for a bad image. Smoking is a cause for heart attacks, CHF, lung cancer, asthma and emphysema. I know having a heart attack while on final would be much worse than with drawal symptoms. Ever see someone have a heart attack or asthma attack before? Ever see someone have withdrawal symptoms? Two different animals. The bottom line is smoking is a health risk to you, those around you and those who are sitting behind your cockpit door. I applaud Alaska having a non smoking policy! I know it said non-nicotine, which includes all nicotine products, but smoking is the only one that effects more than just the user.