It's unlikely that a company would exclude you for ancient-history weed if you passed the DOT urinalysis...they would have to exclude a LOT of people. Even the most security-sensitive government organizations don't have a big problem with it as long as it was in the past and you don't lie about it.

 

I would be willing to bet your friend was joking with you. Drug tests that involve hair use whats called gas chromatography, which is VERY expensive and cost prohibitive for a business with so many people interviewing. Not to mention there arent very many labs around the country that have the equipment to do it. The military doesnt even use it, and they have some of the strictest standards in the US.

Another thing is that they are more interested in your CURRENT drug status. While urine tests have their flaws (individual's metabolism, duration drugs stay in the blood), it does show repeated use. THC can show up as much as a month to a month and a half after a person quits if they are a regular user. But on the other hand, amphetamines can leave your system in as little as 72 hours.

Lastly, the hair test does not test for drugs you did 10 years ago (unless you are a female who hasnt cut her hair much in that time).... The hair only reflects drugs that were done while the hair was growing. So if you shave your head, its like you are wiping the slate clean. But they can test from body hair, but it typically only allows them to see back up to 1 year. Its just a myth that they can test as far back as they want.

 

I heard Alaska uses a hair sample...to test for nicotine

 

What a waste of money.... All you gotta do is smell their clothes.. HAH

 

I googled "hair sampling" the other day and some reports stated that depending how much and how often you were exposed to a chemical will determine the levels found in your hair samples.

Given the fact that you haven't smoked in years, I don't think you have anything to worry about.


atp

 

see above. Once you shave your head, slate is wiped clean. (provided you havent done anything in a while). When your hair regrows it does not keep a "memory" of the drugs used. It is quite a bit more accurate than the whiz quiz because it can detect very minute amounts from people who do a drug infrequently.

 

uhh, I definately am against drugs, but wouldn't you rather fly with a guy that smoked a joint a few days ago rather than a guy who drank a pint of whiskey the night before??

 

If he smoked a joint, he has already shown he believes he can decide when to comply with laws or rules. Marijuana is still illegal on a Federal level, despite any municipality's or state's attempt to make it legal for medical purposes.

Since he has shown a disregard for civil law, do you think he would be more or less inclined to obey FARs? The use of illegal drugs is a violation of FARs.

On the other hand, alcohol use is condoned if you avoid all use within 12 hours and are sober at the time of duty.

I don't want anybody in my cockpit who thinks he can decide when to be FAR-compliant. That is alcohol, illegal drugs, over-the-counter, or lack of sleep.

 

Amen.... rules are NOT meant to be broken... thats when bad things happen....

 

True dat.


atp