Lufthansa: random medication tests for pilots
 

Surely they can see that this idea will only drive pilots to stop taking needed medications?!

"A Lufthansa spokesman told dpa that the airline would only introduce the new measure in coordination with Germany's task force for aviation safety, adding that the tests could help detect medication that pilots may be hiding from their employer."

Lufthansa considers random pilot checks

Germanwings: Lufthansa pilots may get spot health checks - BBC News

Madness, indeed!

Some countries such as Australia have drug testing in place already for illegal drugs such as cannibas and LSD. This could be expanded to included prescription drugs with or without the pilots knowledge.

Legal, opiate based drugs can lead to a positive test result and licence suspension whilst the matter is sorted out.

Athletes have a long list of forbidden medications due to stringent drug testing during events, but these are more biased towards performance enhancing drugs.

Perhaps we'll end up with a similar list.

deanm:

What needed medications should pilots be taking that such a program will drive them from stopping?

Mild or temporary anxiety, depression etc. can be readily and stably treated under medical supervision.

Do you want such folk to stop therapy?

What other industry can invade your humanity/private life to such a level?

Whilst forcing you to work 7 day weeks on earlies at minimum rest, at ever decreasing terms and conditions???

I think I am getting close to hanging up my wings!!!

False Positives on Drug Tests :p

...having a beer the night before is the least of your worries...glad I'm loonngg gone....:(

askdocweb. com is not considered a serious source, having read the article linked I find it to be yet another of many overstating true errors and perceived "sloppiness" in drug testing procedures.

As far as you being happy about being long gone, well, I'm happy that you're happy.

A lot of us miss you early-generation pilots.

I'm 55 years old, and my memories of flying as a kid are very pilot-centric.

You guys worked your asses off keeping us safe and giving us pleasant flights - your efforts were obvious and very much appreciated.

Some of the folks in the front office now clearly have no business being there. If you took them back in time to fly 1st and 2nd generation jets, it would result in a massacre.

After writing this and reading it, maybe I am happy for you after all. You're a class of pilot that didn't need the "extra help" of random drug tests, and I can understand why you feel it is an insult.

Be safe and happy, and thanks for what you did.

Cheers!

So a Lufthansa pilot seeking medical advice from his Doctor, for stress or anxiety, has the added worry that telling his employer could lead to suspension and possible loss of employment. Not telling could lead to exactly the same thing......

How does this help move safety forward?

Lawyers will love this one :rolleyes:

"Not telling" = Lubitz (and we all know how that ended).

deanmWhy not tell your employer what you are on? End of problem.

End of problem?!

It would be - for the employer.

For the employee?

End of job!

If you are on medication your AME can decide whether you should be flying or not.

@Metro man
It depends on the country but in many you would not be allowed to test without first telling the patient what you are testing for, and or, gaining their permission; covert testing would not be allowed.

I guess part of the problem is telling certain airlines that you are taking medication for depression, etc would be akin to telling them you snort crack cocaine.
I would hazard a guess that there is very little trust between most airline management and their employees.

LH seems to be having a nervous breakdown of their own



Maybe they should have a doctor, psychologist and perhaps an attorney ride in each cockpit to constantly monitor each crew member.


It would be even safer to leave passengers on the ground.



Time to calm down and take a more measured approach.

@hunterboy

You say 'most' but are you sure about that?
In my experience and shared experiences of others some companies are as sympathetic and as supporting as possible.
There may be a legal procedure they have to follow (sickness policy in the UK is a good example of that) but there is no bad intent.

Nope, not certain, hence I "guessed". I was trying to stimulate debate as to why certain staff such as pilots wouldn't go to their airline mgmt with certain personal or medical problems.
I do strongly suspect though, that if a UK based company could fire an expensive employee without it costing them and employ a new,cheaper employee then they wouldn't think twice.

There is a whole raft of legally binding procedure that any company has to comply with in matters of performance and discipline.
The company also has a legal obligation of due care in any of its' dealing with people it employs.
These same duties may not diminish even when dealing with people sub contracted eg; those not actually working for the company but which the public may perceive as doing so.

I read early papers on what might be expected of pilots at the dawn of the jet age. There was great concern that the human mind might not be able to handle the speed. This was a genuine concern.

There are terrible side effects to modern airline flying for the pilots. Even 25 years ago the side effects were taken care of by less flying, better hotels, more pay, more days off. More pay allowed for more recreation time on days off .


I am in favor of such drug testing as long as:

1. Samples are split, different labs doing the work (absolute truth in testing)

2. That pilots who for some reason are taking or consider taking these drugs be allowed ALL THE SICK TIME they need to get over the problem so they don't have to take the drug. THIS MEANS that you pay the pilot full pay if he isn't well and you do it for the duration of the illness all the way to an honorable retirement.

I remember the days when all you had to do was call the chief pilot and say: I need time off to deal with my wife's problem . Chief pilot would say: FINE, call me when you are ready to fly again, we will keep sending you your pay, we want you to be well.


THIS IS SIMPLY NOT THE CASE anymore.

THE PUREST TEST FOR A PILOT IS THIS, more than a drug test, more than a psych exam: IF THE PILOT IS HAPPY TO GO FLYING, he is well. IF HE DREADS going flying, something is wrong.


The career was great and most of the time I look forward to flying. But things have changed, are changing and NOT for the better.