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RFDS Pilot Sacked

Old 20th Nov 2012, 09:33
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RFDS Pilot Sacked

Flying doctor pilot sacked for failing drug test - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)


The Royal Flying Doctor Service in Queensland says it had no option but to sack a pilot who failed a drug and alcohol test after the plane he was flying lost contact with air traffic control.
The pilot was forced to take the test after the incident, during which contact was lost for 13 minutes while the plane was carrying a nurse and two patients from Bundaberg to Brisbane.
Chief executive Nino di Marco says it is unclear if those on board knew something was wrong.
"At this stage, that's all subject to the investigation," he said.
"What we do know is that there was a 13-minute period where the aircraft did lose contact, so in terms of what happened, that is part of the investigation process."
Mr Di Marco says the service has a zero-tolerance policy on drugs and alcohol.
"The two key areas of importance for us is patient welfare and employee safety and that's something that we value highly," he said.
"The fact that this is the first incident of its nature in the organisation's history, it's shocked and disappointed us."
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 09:47
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The Royal Flying Doctor Service in Queensland says it had no option but to sack a pilot who failed a drug and alcohol test after the plane he was flying lost contact with air traffic control.
"At this stage, that's all subject to the investigation,"
I beg your pardon but I DON'T GET IT! He/she has been sacked BEFORE the investigation had been completed? That's an odd way of proceeding, ain't?

DK

Last edited by drag king; 20th Nov 2012 at 09:47.
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 09:50
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They have to investigate why he lost contact and what had occurred on the aircraft.
But if you fail a drug test, you fail a drug test, whether or not something goes wrong.
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 10:36
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Was it drugs, OR alcohol?
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 10:51
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When did the loss of contact occur?
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 11:01
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A colleague of mine failed a DAMP test. Blew 0.9. That's right.9, not 0.09. They didn't realise initially that they'd be dead at that reading, if it were accurate.

I certainly hope for the RFDS' sake, that equipment error, false positives, etc, etc have been ruled out BEFORE they sacked the pilot.

ABC TV news at 7 in FNQ, said that the other occupants of the aircraft had been offered counselling (or something similar).

Last edited by Capt Claret; 20th Nov 2012 at 11:13.
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 12:10
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It's not within the scope of DAMP to fire someone on a first offence, this raises far more questions than it answers. Also not sure West Ops would appreciate being roped in with a picture of their aircraft.
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 12:28
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It's not within the scope of DAMP to fire someone on a first offence,
Is that a general statement for all DAMPS or specific to the RFDS DAMP?

If an operator has it documented in their DAMP and the employees are informed of the dismissal action as the result an initial positive and confirmatory positive tests, anyone failing a drug or alcohol test can be dismissed.

There is plenty of precedent for dismissal after the first positive test in other industries where staff operate complex machinery.
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 16:45
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In mining, road transport and many other machinery related industries I've been involved in, both Oz & NZ, the company has a "duty of care" to the employee and are obliged to provide counselling and assistance to the person
Rio Tinto has a 3 strike rule in NSW and many other areas, unless gross misconduct

Appears very heavy handed based on the info available so far
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 17:41
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Originally Posted by Dangly Bits
Was it drugs, OR alcohol?
Does it matter???

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Old 20th Nov 2012, 18:58
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Reading the article , noting the loss of comms and noting the bit about " counseling" I wonder here if this was not a matter of being " over the limit" on a breath test, but being functionally and visibly incapable due to intoxication?

I can think of no other reason why three strikes would not apply.
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 19:02
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Sounds like he tested positive to crack cocaine.

Whilst its no excuse to be off your noggin and flying an aeroplane with passengers the guy obviously has a substance abuse addiction.

Firing him will be a one way ticket down a very dark road.

I would have thought counseling and support would have been the most appropriate measure. Whilst its clear that he shouldn't continue his role as a Pilot, he should not be abandoned to his own devices either.

Sad times for the industry with these types of events occurring.

Last edited by MACH082; 20th Nov 2012 at 19:03.
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 19:26
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Where's the personal accountability? This guy put his aircraft and passengers plus possibly some on the ground at huge risk.

By all means send him to drug rehab but keep him out of the sky thank you.
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 19:42
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http://m.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/royal-flying-doctor-service-pilot-passed-out-at-controls-later-tests-positive-for-drugs/story-fndo45r1-1226520737157
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 21:07
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Thumbs up Before there was DAMP

In the old days there was common sense. Don't drink and fly. Don't get high and fly!
All of a sudden some would argue that DAMP is the cause of the problem - not
A clear demand of all employers is that we pilots to remain sober and free of all intoxicating substances for at least 8 hours before flying. Most of us obey the expectation, but some don't.
CASA introduced "Drug Alcohol Monitoring Procedures" to monitor those of unknown addictions (initial test); to enable counselling of those with problems (ongoing) and to catch the dishonest (random) who think they can continue to pull the wool over the eyes of those in Authority.
If you were able to look into the etiology of this incident, I am sure you would find that this pilot has been more than fairly treated prior to and during this "incident" but at the end of the day he brought this problem down on his own head and has received his just deserts.
I have worked for the service for many years and have found them, if anything, very long suffering of employee quirks
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 21:25
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The past is a key to the future

And while you are all saddened for the fate of this pilot hopefully reading this will wake you up to the other possibilities -
Media Releases: 18 March 2004 - ATSB final report on the Hamilton Island fatal aircraft accident and aviation research discussion papers on alcohol and cannabis use
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 21:38
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The amount of PILOTS who test positive under DAMP is very small. No I don't know the exact figure but when I attended a DAMP course we were given the breakdown of positive tests by job category and pilots were very low.

I am not making excuses for this person, but for someone in their position to take a drug as dangerous and destructive as meth really indicates a serious personal issue. I would strongly urge the RFDS to work with this pilot to help them recover. They are after all a medical outfit.

Even AFL Football players get three strikes and the first two are confidential!

To the affected pilot - take care of yourself and get help before it is way too late, please!
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 23:02
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I would have thought counseling and support would have been the most appropriate measure.
If the taking of the substance was a requirement of the RFDS OK, but as it was most likely self-inflicted, NO.

Why are people these days so willing to put personal responsibility onto anyone else other than taking responsibility themselves.

Why is the employer responsible for the rehabilitation costs for something that is self-inflicted?
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 23:28
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The nanny state attitude today is sick. The company/governments are not responsible for an individual's personal behaviour. These people need to be held accountable for their actions. Putting others at risk is culpable. When it's life and death there can be no second chances.
Even AFL Football players get three strikes and the first two are confidential!
A game of footy is just that, a game! No lives at stake....

Last edited by TBM-Legend; 20th Nov 2012 at 23:30.
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Old 20th Nov 2012, 23:36
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Agree TBM.

I'm gobsmacked if the media report is correct.
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