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Old 23rd Oct 2009, 02:18
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Nevrekar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Currently India (Home is KATL, USA)
Age: 62
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In India prior to flight crews are given an alcohol test. You report to a doctor who gives you the test. Cabin crews are subjected to this as well. While there are some times where the BA test is waived by the Dr. (perhaps a certain quota for the day has been met) for the most part you can expect to be tested 90% of the time. Anything other than 0.0 is not acceptable.

Indian pilot who test positive are not usually terminated, unless it is a repeat offence. One individual was terminated here after his third offence.The disciplinary action varies from airline to airline. I believe at Spicejet it involves loss of pay (half-pay) for 3 months. There are no intervention programs(HIMS) to help those who might have a drinking problem.

Expat pilots at Spicejet who test positive historically have been asked to leave almost immediately. We have had a few of those as well.

So in the nutshell, Indian pilots do get some relief in this area whereas expats do not. Also, there is no random drug testing here.
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