Irish cocaine book

[judgecaligula]

Hi. I`m an Irish journalist (so interest declared), pondering the contents of a book by another Irish journalist called Justine Delaney Wilson. The book is called The High Society, published by Gill & Macmillan. In the book, Ms. Delaney Wilson says she has spoken (amongst many) to two anonymous sources, one a (male) working pilot, the other a (female) former air traffic controller. The pilot says he`s 44, flies regularly out of Dublin the US, and says he uses cocaine a lot while working. The air traffic controller says she came to work for 9 years (to an airport, doesn`t say which) having taken hash, e, or coke. My question is this: I don`t doubt that there are professionals in the aviation industry who take drugs. What I`m trying to get a handle on is how likely they would be to talk to a journalist about their habits, especially if they knew it was going to be used in a book. The working pilot, it seems to me, is taking an incredible risk. If identified, could he be, for example, prosecuted? Am curious to know what people out there think of this.

[Wojtus]

As a journalist you should know not to trust what other journalists write.

[45 before POL]

Well, for the pilot, if the facts are true, it wouldn't take much to drug test all 44/45 yr old male pilots out of dublin. As for the former controller....good job they are former. Bottom line is no colleague would tolerate this behaviour within either flying or controlling if aware of it.

[Roger That]

For the UK, have a look at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts2003...30020_en_7#pt5 for starters and it gives what the Act says.

I'm sure others will add opinion, and PPRuNe has other threads showing what his can and has meant n reality.

[Radar]

judgecaligula,

Take such reports with a pinch of salt (or whatever your particular white poison is), my friend. With the amount of random drug and alcohol testing to which we are currently subject, I doubt they could operate for nine months, never mind nine years. And that's before you get into the realms of colleagues working with (relying ) on such renegades thus putting their own careers, mortgages , families etc. on the line!

[Dream Land]

I don`t doubt that there are professionals in the aviation industry who take drugs.

Why would you doubt that, these people are normal, normal people have problems, I assume you are wrong.

[rodan]

Read the sentence again. He or she agrees with you. That's why they said they don't doubt it.

[Dream Land]

Oops, you are right, my mistake.

[judgecaligula]

thanks

...for your opinions, I`m extremely sceptical about the book myself, I find it hard to believe that anyone would a) admit to this sort of behaviour b) get away with it for very long.

[judgecaligula]

good point, but talking generally about your profession on a blog as contrasted to talking individually about your illegal habits, knowing your testimony would be used in a book? Even if the journalist guaranteed anonymity?

[judgecaligula]

I`ll talk Guinness with you any time; whether the author of this book spoke to a real pilot, or a real controller, is another matter... but thanks again to all above for their views.