The FAA uses the HIMS evaluation in determining whether or not if a pilot has a substance abuse problem, whether alcohol or narcotics. It doesn't matter whether you been clean & sober for 6 months or 10 years, if you answer the drug use questions "Yes" on your medical, eventually you will have to undergo this evaluation.

This is not a bad thing. Over 3500 pilots have taken advantage of the HIMS program and the according to the FAA there is a 90% success rate for pilots returning to the flight deck.



atp

 

Flying is the only high I need

Obviously, weed has no place in the cockpit. Just like alcohol, cold pills, vicodin, lack of sleep, etc. Sobriety is the only the way to be behind the controls.

Other than that, I see no problem with smoking marijuana. It's a much safer alternative to alcohol, it's therapeutic, medical, and 100% natural. I mean, it's just trimmed buds from a hemp plant. That's all.

I've noticed the majority of the aviation community strongly disapproves of it's use, but approves drinking alcohol. Makes no sense to me...especially when the green is safer.

 

Well right now one is legal and one isn't.
I'm not sure why you think one is safer than the other either.
You even say that neither one belongs in the cockpit (and I agree), but why then?

USMCFLYR

 

From my two seconds of research, I've found that a typical hair follicle provides a drug use history of 90 days, not the entire life history of the hair owner.

 

Alcohol lowers inhibitions and tends to make people more aggressive. It is a huge cause of fatal driving accidents and people getting Darwin awards.
Marijuana will not make you smarter, but it does not have the reputation for causing violent behavior.

 

I am all for the legalization of marijuana. However, one problem is that there isn't an equivalent test that is similar to the breathalyzer for alcohol to determine if one is currently under the influence of marijuana. All in all, say all you want about long-term effects. If you can pass the medical exams and checkrides, then all is a go. Otherwise, degenerative long-term effects can be said about many substances and foods.

Alcohol has killed and injured far more people, destroyed more families and disrupted more lives than marijuana, much more.

Alcohol being legal and marijuana not is the ultimate hypocrisy. Heck, the US even bans the cultivation of industrial hemp.....with no appreciable THC.

Marijuana is a significant source of food, fiber, fuel and medicine. However, the powers that be chooses to remain ignorant and act irrationally...ahem! (The private prison lobby puts massive resources into mandatory minimum sentencing for victimless crimes such as those involving marijuana)LEAP - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition - Cops Say Legalize Drugs

Fortunately, I think it is 17 states have approved use of medicinal marijuana to varying degrees and Obama has called off the dogs in regard to federales busting medicinal MJ shops. There is hope yet and I think it is just a matter of time.

 

I have a problem with companies like Alaska doing nicotine checks. I smoke an occasional cigarette when I'm mad. I had one today, and I had one the 4th of December. I'm not a regular smoker, and I might go through a pack a year. Having that disqualify me for a job just doesn't seem right.... but then again - companies have the right to do as they please. I also don't really like hair tests as I don't like people to get down to my nitty gritty business. I had surgery less than 90 days ago, so if someone did a hair test today, opiates would show up for my pain medicine I was on, and even though I haven't taken them in 60 days or so, I'd still have some 'splaining to do!

-------------

I don't have a really big problem with marijuana. I don't smoke it (Although I have admittedly done so when I was in my teens), won't smoke it and I do not participate in any other drug usage. Heck I don't even really drink, and I CERTAINLY do not drink and drive. The reason I don't care about weed is that if a person wants to smoke it, and not hurt anyone (not drive, fly, etc.) then I don't really care, as long as it doesn't effect me or anyone else negatively. I'm all for individual freedoms. Heck I say make it legal and tax the crap out of it, and reduce some of our other taxes!!! DOT could still make it illegal to use it while employed by a transportation sensitive job, and the government could create laws similar to current DUI laws. I don't know... I don't care one way or the other as it doesn't effect me now since I don't use it, and my friends don't either.


That's correct sir!

 

Pfft, of course there is. You simply put a tray of cookies in front of the subject you are testing. If they're devoured rapidly, they're high on goofballs.

 

LMAO!




atp

 

Most airlines today go well beyond the 5 panel DOT drug test. Usually, they're a 10 panel, or a standard 5 panel with other listed on the form as additional drugs they test for.

I haven't heard of anyone being hair follicle tested for a line position.