BA drug and alcohol tests begin
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BA drug and alcohol tests begin
As report by the BBC's Business Section BA drug and alcohol tests begin
Drug and alcohol testing for all UK-based staff by British Airways comes into force on Sunday.
Employees will be subject to breath tests for alcohol, or urine tests for drugs, if they are suspected of being under the influence.
The company's move is an effort to extend legal limits for pilots, to cover staff at airports.
Tests will also be used if drugs or alcohol are thought to be involved in accidents at work.
The airline says it is offering confidential support for employees who may have a problem with drink or drugs.
Criminal offence
The new tests are in addition to a company policy which says staff must not be impaired by drugs or alcohol when at work.
And it follows the introduction of national safety laws giving police the power to breathalyse on-duty flight and cabin crew and engineers if they believe alcohol limits have been exceeded.
The alcohol limit for all ground staff will be the current UK drink drive limit of 80mgs of alcohol per 100mls of blood.
The 2003 Railways and Safety Transport Act limits flying staff to the nearly zero amount of 20mgs of alcohol per 100mls of blood.
And it makes being over the limit a criminal offence for flight staff and engineers.
Employees will be subject to breath tests for alcohol, or urine tests for drugs, if they are suspected of being under the influence.
The company's move is an effort to extend legal limits for pilots, to cover staff at airports.
Tests will also be used if drugs or alcohol are thought to be involved in accidents at work.
The airline says it is offering confidential support for employees who may have a problem with drink or drugs.
Criminal offence
The new tests are in addition to a company policy which says staff must not be impaired by drugs or alcohol when at work.
And it follows the introduction of national safety laws giving police the power to breathalyse on-duty flight and cabin crew and engineers if they believe alcohol limits have been exceeded.
The alcohol limit for all ground staff will be the current UK drink drive limit of 80mgs of alcohol per 100mls of blood.
The 2003 Railways and Safety Transport Act limits flying staff to the nearly zero amount of 20mgs of alcohol per 100mls of blood.
And it makes being over the limit a criminal offence for flight staff and engineers.
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I thought that this was a legislative thing that affected all UK carriers, but it seems to be being presented as a BA thing: Have they added bells and whistles, or is this an issue to do with the reporting of the subject? Any advice would be appreciated...
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hmmm. so when they discover that half the airline is using recreational pharmaceuticals,what then? Sack the lot of them?
Or, more realistically,cover the whole thing up and hang a couple of scapegoats out to dry as an example of what not to do.
Methinks the latter.
Or, more realistically,cover the whole thing up and hang a couple of scapegoats out to dry as an example of what not to do.
Methinks the latter.
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more political correctness !
I doubt if the tests at BA will find very much , the FAA tests in the USA have found a very low drug usage level in the airline business.
I suspect this has more to do with spin and political correctness than a "drug problem" within BA in particular and the industry as a whole.
I suspect this has more to do with spin and political correctness than a "drug problem" within BA in particular and the industry as a whole.
ALL pilots, engineers, cabin crew, air traffic controllers and assistants come under the Railways and Transport Act.
BA has introduced limits and testing for ALL BA staff whether cleaner, Ops or director, so while it is not illegal to turn up to work with a skin-full it would now be an easy way to leave the company with no benefits.
BA has introduced limits and testing for ALL BA staff whether cleaner, Ops or director, so while it is not illegal to turn up to work with a skin-full it would now be an easy way to leave the company with no benefits.
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>>hmmm. so when they discover that half the airline is using recreational pharmaceuticals,what then? Sack the lot of them?<<
Yep, that's the law in the U.S.
Novel concepts like drug and alcohol testing and locked cockpit doors have been in place in the U.S. for many years.
Of course, some will inevitably whine that the right to fly drunk has been abridged and the right to use illegal drugs is a civil liberty. However, the traveling public probably is happier knowing that the crew has been a little more careful and sober before reporting for duty.
Yep, that's the law in the U.S.
Novel concepts like drug and alcohol testing and locked cockpit doors have been in place in the U.S. for many years.
Of course, some will inevitably whine that the right to fly drunk has been abridged and the right to use illegal drugs is a civil liberty. However, the traveling public probably is happier knowing that the crew has been a little more careful and sober before reporting for duty.
Last edited by Airbubba; 2nd Aug 2004 at 13:45.
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the point of my post was that the problem of drug/alcohol abuse is far more widespread than people realise(James Hewitt for example).
IF B.A were to adopt a surprise tactic for drug/alcohol testing then the likely result would be rather unpalatable for the airline due to the rather large number of staff that they would have to remove overnight.
My intention is not to attack individual groups but to point out that society as a whole (and I assume that even professional aviators cannot exclude themselves from this)is not as nice as some would like to think.
Ducks for cover.
IF B.A were to adopt a surprise tactic for drug/alcohol testing then the likely result would be rather unpalatable for the airline due to the rather large number of staff that they would have to remove overnight.
My intention is not to attack individual groups but to point out that society as a whole (and I assume that even professional aviators cannot exclude themselves from this)is not as nice as some would like to think.
Ducks for cover.
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Dan Dare
Air Traffic Serivices Assistants do not come under the legislation unless they hold a FISO licence.
One dot right
If anyone is daft enough to go to work with Alcohol or drugs in thier system, having been warned that checks are to be mae, then they really shouldn't be employed in that sort of job should they!
Anyway, sacking people for this is cheaper than redudency.
Air Traffic Serivices Assistants do not come under the legislation unless they hold a FISO licence.
One dot right
If anyone is daft enough to go to work with Alcohol or drugs in thier system, having been warned that checks are to be mae, then they really shouldn't be employed in that sort of job should they!
Anyway, sacking people for this is cheaper than redudency.
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onedotright- your posts are intentional mischievous, and I'll add, utter nonsense. It would be helpful if your profile would at least indicate the basis of your interest and where you speak from, but up to now you are spouting garbage.
I have not seen any evidence of drug taking by pilots in my 34 years in professional aviation. The measures being adopted by BA are not 'shotgun' approaches to drug detection, but very tightly regulated and largely directed towards the humanitarian approach to addiction, should it be located. I believe it is the act of a responsible employer. The responsibility of the employee is not to try drugs and assist others to drop them if discovered, through the employer.
I think you will find that pilots, controllers and engineers are all very aware of their responsibilities, and obey them. This legislation is to alow new employees to be checked, and those who have experienced an addiction to be monitored. It seems very fair to me.
I have not seen any evidence of drug taking by pilots in my 34 years in professional aviation. The measures being adopted by BA are not 'shotgun' approaches to drug detection, but very tightly regulated and largely directed towards the humanitarian approach to addiction, should it be located. I believe it is the act of a responsible employer. The responsibility of the employee is not to try drugs and assist others to drop them if discovered, through the employer.
I think you will find that pilots, controllers and engineers are all very aware of their responsibilities, and obey them. This legislation is to alow new employees to be checked, and those who have experienced an addiction to be monitored. It seems very fair to me.
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Notso,
I suppose it could be blamed on the cultural differences between the UK and Scandinavia, but I know a handful of pilots who occasionally inhale what Clinton didn't. I know quite a few engineers who, occasionally and generally in week-ends, sniff what Maradona has been submitted to hospital for over doing. I know ground handlers that'll do both while on duty.
On the other hand, I've witnessed first hand how some UK crews (to be read as crews from the UK flying UK registered aeroplanes) handle themselves in the bar at the downroute hotel, and that has happened quite a few times too. I am not in any way, shape or form indicating that there is a drinking culture among all UK crews, just that I've observed UK crews keeping the bartender busy till rather later, when they have to report for duty next morning. Neither am I saying they drink themselves blind, only that they certainly didn't obey the 24 hour or even the 8 hour rule about distance from bottle to throttle. To my mind, adults should certainly be allowed a beer/glass of wine or two with dinner, on top of the mandatory landing beer. But, that's it if you're flying early next morning. Sitting in the bar till it closes at 0200 with a 0600 reporting time is not wise in the first place, and having a few beers to go with it even less.
I do have one question, if you please: Could UK crews be subjected to random tests down route or only on British soil?
I am not trying to start a flame war, and if anyone takes personal offence to this post please take it for what it is, honest observations. However, I do belive that if we in the industry are not open about these problems ourselves, then some day someone will thrust very restrictive legislation upon us, and I for one would not like to contemplate the idea of being "illegal" over a landing beer, with 12 hours to go before chocks are off again.
I belive a landing beer after a long day prowling the skies is a divine right for anyone working as crew, and I would be gutted if the few who for some reason cannot limit themselves to one or two should ruin it for the many who can.
I suppose it could be blamed on the cultural differences between the UK and Scandinavia, but I know a handful of pilots who occasionally inhale what Clinton didn't. I know quite a few engineers who, occasionally and generally in week-ends, sniff what Maradona has been submitted to hospital for over doing. I know ground handlers that'll do both while on duty.
On the other hand, I've witnessed first hand how some UK crews (to be read as crews from the UK flying UK registered aeroplanes) handle themselves in the bar at the downroute hotel, and that has happened quite a few times too. I am not in any way, shape or form indicating that there is a drinking culture among all UK crews, just that I've observed UK crews keeping the bartender busy till rather later, when they have to report for duty next morning. Neither am I saying they drink themselves blind, only that they certainly didn't obey the 24 hour or even the 8 hour rule about distance from bottle to throttle. To my mind, adults should certainly be allowed a beer/glass of wine or two with dinner, on top of the mandatory landing beer. But, that's it if you're flying early next morning. Sitting in the bar till it closes at 0200 with a 0600 reporting time is not wise in the first place, and having a few beers to go with it even less.
I do have one question, if you please: Could UK crews be subjected to random tests down route or only on British soil?
I am not trying to start a flame war, and if anyone takes personal offence to this post please take it for what it is, honest observations. However, I do belive that if we in the industry are not open about these problems ourselves, then some day someone will thrust very restrictive legislation upon us, and I for one would not like to contemplate the idea of being "illegal" over a landing beer, with 12 hours to go before chocks are off again.
I belive a landing beer after a long day prowling the skies is a divine right for anyone working as crew, and I would be gutted if the few who for some reason cannot limit themselves to one or two should ruin it for the many who can.
In fact, in most cases the pilots were probably sober . 
therefore. . .
'nough said
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Actually, you don't have to look very far to find such an incident (this one due to drugs)...
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Flip Flop Flyer AFAIK... A landing beer has always been "illegal" as far as BA are concerned ,even if it is your own alcohol, as it is against company policy to be at work with more than 0.0% blood alcohol ...Knowing the company as I do, I despair for the future. Petty managers and anybody with a grudge can now cause real damage to peoples' careers and lives by making baseless allegations. For instance, I happen to know various Flt Ops mangers were at their desks last week after A.S's leaving bash. Various witnesses could smell the alcohol on their breath. Admittedly, they were doing office duties that day, but should they have been suspended/sacked? I'm not suggesting any one should operate an aeroplane over the limits, however these new rules and BA's interpretation is going to cause a lot of problems in the future.
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FFF- you make some pretty serious, unsubstantiated accusations against British crews there. Under the new Calvinism about- I would say it never happens now if it ever did to the extent you imply.
Lets get this straight- random tests are not allowed. Positive accusation is required for a crew to have to undergo testing. The new legislation applies to new entrants and those with a historic drug taking history only. I think out of fairness to staff, you should refrain from making such vague and serious accusations.
Lets get this straight- random tests are not allowed. Positive accusation is required for a crew to have to undergo testing. The new legislation applies to new entrants and those with a historic drug taking history only. I think out of fairness to staff, you should refrain from making such vague and serious accusations.
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Notsofantastic
You refer to 'legislation'. Presumably its a typo and you mean BA rules.
The new act of parliament applies to anyone irrespective of thier service in a company, thats legislation.
If BA have started random tests then its done under employment contract and is nothing to do with law.
As for Pilots/Cabin crew not ever drinking or taking things you can't get at the chemists before they fly....The word that springs to mind means testicals!
I worked as Heathrow as a Policeman for 13 years, they do I can assure you, I have been at Court to see them convicted. I also lived with a cabin crew member, and she certainly went to work when she shouldn't have driven let alone flown. (At that stage there was no legislation on aircrew alcohol limits).
You refer to 'legislation'. Presumably its a typo and you mean BA rules.
The new act of parliament applies to anyone irrespective of thier service in a company, thats legislation.
If BA have started random tests then its done under employment contract and is nothing to do with law.
As for Pilots/Cabin crew not ever drinking or taking things you can't get at the chemists before they fly....The word that springs to mind means testicals!
I worked as Heathrow as a Policeman for 13 years, they do I can assure you, I have been at Court to see them convicted. I also lived with a cabin crew member, and she certainly went to work when she shouldn't have driven let alone flown. (At that stage there was no legislation on aircrew alcohol limits).