Random testing at LGW

[ShotOne]

Were any ppruners involved in the mass random test session of flight crew at LGW this Januuary? Apparently over 1300 crew were tested over a 24 hour period (all negative!). My understanding of the rules is that random testing in the UK is NOT legal and only permitted "with cause". Any details, particularly from from those subjected to this procedure would be appreciated.

[Max Flyup]

Did not hear about it - was this a BA in-house thing? Did the police do the testing?

[Suggs]

Certainly wasn't a BA thing, sounds like cobblers to me.

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Graham McPherson

[Myk Hunt]

IŽll do it any day when flying, just that it is legal and the ones who are doing it show me the legalities.

[ShotOne]

No I agree that this wasn't directed particularly at BA crews, Suggs, but whether you think it's cobblers or not, the event certainly took place. I'm hoping to hear the details from some of those directly involved.

[Max Flyup]

I am prepared accept it took place. But who did the testing and under what authority? More to the point - had somebody refused then what action could be threatened. I am an LGW regular but this is news to me. Somehow 1300 crews (i.e. about 5,000 to 9,000 people) in 24 hours sounds very unlikely.

[DuncanMac]

I stand to be corrected, but unless the law has been changed within the last few years, I think you'll find the police have no power to undertake such an act.

[lostinBRU]

More than 50 an hour......? And not one pruner knows about it.... Sounds like a journo gone fishin' to me.....

....Nice try though...

[Captain Airclues]

This did happen, but it was not a test for alcohol, but for drugs. It was carried out by H M Customs, using a 'hi-tech' sniffer to scan the crew suitcases on arrival. No drugs were found on any of the 1300 crew who were subjected to this.

Airclues

[M.Mouse]

<<No drugs were found on any of the 1300 crew who were subjected to this.>>

That was a worthwhile exercise then.

[behind_the_second_midland]

As Airclues rightly says it was a customs check. they used a device on hands which detects whether you have come into contact with drugs in the las x hours. If it was positive then your name was logged(not passed to the company). There were some positive tests although if you've handled a US banknote for example that can show tarces of coke etc. No drugs were found in any of the random checks. Still I suppose HM customs at LGW have to work once a year.

BTSM

[ShotOne]

thanks for the info guys -and I'm a pilot, not a journo, Lost in bru. Although the event wasn't quite as unreasonable as I first thought, I suspect the legality of a mass test of a particular occupational group is a bit dubious. If customs tried to randomly test, say 1300 doctors or lawyers, they would probably have had a legal fight on their hands.

[boxmover]

ShotOne

The thing is, as you come into the UK C&E can do just about what they like. They have powers that would make any third world secret policeman green with envy.

NEVER NEVER fall out with C&E

[lostinBRU]

Hello Shot One, this is not that uncommon either, especially at smaller fields in Italy for instance. Quite often get sniffed at by the drugs dog on the way thru' customs. Keep moving though 'cos they'll pee on your leg if you stop!!
Similarly, in a previous life flying freight/mail to the Channel Islands all the bags off the a/c would be laid out in the hangar whilst the dog had a good rummage.
Seriously though, this is a whole world removed from invasive personal drug testing which quite rightly needs its own debate.