Good Afternoon All:
In the interests of Aviation Safety the "Star Chamber" aka security at LHR/EGLL will ask for a breathalyser if a crew member is "suspected" of being impaired of alcohol or drugs. I would guess this would be determined by a blood test.
Can someone who is more knowledgeable on the medical side go into non-prescription cold medicines or pain medications and the ramifications of a random blood sample would have if a crew member has the above or any medication that could be considered "dodgy" as the Brits would say.
My experiences at Control Post Security have been mostly of amusement at the hoops one jumps through to wondering what process is undertaken to "train or vet" the screeners at the C.P.?
With a majority of them one would suggest they were not invited to join MENSA.
Here is the link to the website section for the actual legislation:
Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003
Here is a copy of the applicable legislation with some important sections highlighted:
Section 1 (b) outlines that even riding on the crew bus and or being at the airport in uniform can put you in jeopardy.
Section 6 (b) below explains how they can get a breath sample from us. They ask the question if we have had a drink the night/day/24 hrs before and then 6 (b) will apply and we need to comply.
Offences
92Being unfit for duty
(1)A person commits an offence if—
(a)he performs an aviation function at a time when his ability to perform the function is impaired because of drink or drugs, or
(b)he carries out an activity which is ancillary to an aviation function at a time when his ability to perform the function is impaired because of drink or drugs.
(2)In this section “drug” includes any intoxicant other than alcohol.
(3)Section 94 defines “aviation function” and “ancillary activity” for the purposes of this Part.
93Prescribed limit
(1)A person commits an offence if—
(a)he performs an aviation function at a time when the proportion of alcohol in his breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit, or
(b)he carries out an activity which is ancillary to an aviation function at a time when the proportion of alcohol in his breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit.
(2)The prescribed limit of alcohol is (subject to subsection (3))—
(a)in the case of breath, 9 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres,
(b)in the case of blood, 20 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres, and
(c)in the case of urine, 27 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres.
(3)In relation to the aviation function specified in section 94(1)(h) the prescribed limit is—
(a)in the case of breath, 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres,
(b)in the case of blood, 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres, and
(c)in the case of urine, 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres.
(4)The Secretary of State may make regulations amending subsection (2) or (3).
(5)Section 94 defines “aviation function” and “ancillary activity” for the purposes of this Part.
94Aviation functions
(1)For the purposes of this Part the following (and only the following) are aviation functions—
(a)acting as a pilot of an aircraft during flight,
(b)acting as flight navigator of an aircraft during flight,
(c)acting as flight engineer of an aircraft during flight,
(d)acting as flight radio-telephony operator of an aircraft during flight,
(e)acting as a member of the cabin crew of an aircraft during flight,
(f)attending the flight deck of an aircraft during flight to give or supervise training, to administer a test, to observe a period of practice or to monitor or record the gaining of experience,
(g)acting as an air traffic controller in pursuance of a licence granted under or by virtue of an enactment (other than a licence granted to a student), and
(h)acting as a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer.
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1)(h) a person acts as a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer if—
(a)he issues a document relating to the maintenance, condition or use of an aircraft or equipment in reliance on a licence granted under or by virtue of an enactment relating to aviation, or
(b)he carries out or supervises work on an aircraft or equipment with a view to, or in connection with, the issue by him of a document of the kind specified in paragraph (a).
(3)For the purposes of this Part a reference to an activity which is ancillary to an aviation function is a reference to anything which falls to be treated as such by virtue of subsections (4) to (6).
(4)An activity shall be treated as ancillary to an aviation function if it is undertaken—
(a)by a person who has reported for a period of duty in respect of the function, and
(b)as a requirement of, for the purpose of or in connection with the performance of the function during that period of duty.
(5)A person who in accordance with the terms of an employment or undertaking holds himself ready to perform an aviation function if called upon shall be treated as carrying out an activity ancillary to the function.
(6)Where a person sets out to perform an aviation function, anything which he does by way of preparing to perform the function shall be treated as an activity ancillary to it.
(7)For the purposes of this Part it is immaterial whether a person performs a function or carries out an activity in the course of an employment or trade or otherwise.
(8)The Secretary of State may by regulations—
(a)amend this section;
(b)make an amendment of this Part which is consequential on an amendment under paragraph (a).
Section 6
Power to administer preliminary tests
In place of subsections (2) to (5) the power to require a person to co-operate with a preliminary test shall apply where—
(a)
a constable in uniform reasonably suspects that the person is committing an offence under section 92 or 93,
(b)
a constable in uniform reasonably suspects that the person has committed an offence under section 92 or 93 and still has alcohol or a drug in his body or is still under the influence of a drug,
(c)
an aircraft is involved in an accident and a constable reasonably suspects that the person was undertaking an aviation function, or an activity ancillary to an aviation function, in relation to the aircraft at the time of the accident, or
(d)
an aircraft is involved in an accident and a constable reasonably suspects that the person has undertaken an aviation function, or an activity ancillary to an aviation function, in relation to the aircraft.
Sections 6A to 6E
Preliminary breath test, impairment test, and drug test
In place of sections 6A(2) and (3), 6B(4) and 6C(2), a preliminary breath test, preliminary impairment test or preliminary drug test may be administered by a constable—
(a)
at or near the place where the requirement to co-operate with the test is imposed, or
(b)
at a police station specified by the constable.
In section 6B(3) a reference to unfitness to drive shall be treated as a reference to having an impaired ability, because of drink or drugs, to perform an aviation function or to carry out an activity which is ancillary to an aviation function.
Section 7
Provision of specimen
In subsection (1) the reference to an offence under section 3A, 4 or 5 of the 1988 Act shall be treated as a reference to an offence under section 92 or 93 of this Act.
In subsection (3)(c) the reference to an offence under section 3A or 4 of the 1988 Act shall be treated as a reference to an offence under section 92 of this Act.
Section 7A
Specimen of blood taken from person incapable of consenting
Section 8
Choice of specimen of breath
In subsection (2) the reference to 50 microgrammes of alcohol shall, except in relation to the aviation function specified in section 94(1)(h), be treated as a reference to 15 microgrammes of alcohol.
Section 9
Protection for hospital patient
Section 10
Detention of person affected by alcohol or drug
In subsection (1)—
(a)
the reference to driving or attempting to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road shall be treated as a reference to performing an aviation function of the kind in respect of which the requirement to provide a specimen was imposed, and
(b)
the reference to an offence under section 4 or 5 of the 1988 Act shall be treated as a reference to an offence under section 92 or 93 of this Act.
In subsection (2) the reference to driving a mechanically propelled vehicle shall be treated as a reference to performing an aviation function.
In subsection (3) the reference to driving properly shall be treated as a reference to performing an aviation function.
Section 11
Interpretation
For the definition of “the prescribed limit” there shall be substituted the definition given in this Part.