Enter Air, Poland - WARNING
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Enter Air, Poland - WARNING
** Those pilots thinking of joining Enter Air, Poland, on a B737 Summer contract, or signing on for their pay2fly scheme, be warned of a flawed alcohol/drug test administered by this airline that may end your career **
The airline, or rather its testing contractor, uses both a swab and breathalyzer as part of pre-flight testing. A lifelong friend, who does not drink alcohol, smoke nor take illegal drugs, was fired by this airline for allegedly failing their "test".
After reporting for duty the entire crew was to undergo testing - no problem there, part of the job. The pilot was instructed to move a swab around in his mouth over 100 times after which he was told he had not passed the test. He requested to take the breathalyzer test, which he passed with zero reading. He was told to take the swab test a second time and was again told he had not passed.
Fortunately, three pilots had been assigned to the flight due to checking.
Having the presence of mind to immediately take a taxi to the nearest hospital, the pilot undertook a blood and urine test at his own expense, which retuned no trace of alcohol nor drugs whatsoever (trace tests are more extensive and register even the minutest amounts of alcohol and/or drugs).
The test results were immediately sent to Enter Air and authorization signed to enable the results to be released to Enter Air directly by the hospital.
Enter Air fired the pilot by SMS text the next day.
The Polish CAA are currently investigating the matter.
The airline, or rather its testing contractor, uses both a swab and breathalyzer as part of pre-flight testing. A lifelong friend, who does not drink alcohol, smoke nor take illegal drugs, was fired by this airline for allegedly failing their "test".
After reporting for duty the entire crew was to undergo testing - no problem there, part of the job. The pilot was instructed to move a swab around in his mouth over 100 times after which he was told he had not passed the test. He requested to take the breathalyzer test, which he passed with zero reading. He was told to take the swab test a second time and was again told he had not passed.
Fortunately, three pilots had been assigned to the flight due to checking.
Having the presence of mind to immediately take a taxi to the nearest hospital, the pilot undertook a blood and urine test at his own expense, which retuned no trace of alcohol nor drugs whatsoever (trace tests are more extensive and register even the minutest amounts of alcohol and/or drugs).
The test results were immediately sent to Enter Air and authorization signed to enable the results to be released to Enter Air directly by the hospital.
Enter Air fired the pilot by SMS text the next day.
The Polish CAA are currently investigating the matter.
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I will only allow a hospital or police to check me for alcohol or drugs.
No private company, accredited by the airline will come near my breath, blood, urine or mouth.
I very strongly suggest any flightcrew to do the same.
These clowns can ruin a life if they handle their equipment, tests incorrectly. There is no guarantee of proper training, especially not in Poland.
No private company, accredited by the airline will come near my breath, blood, urine or mouth.
I very strongly suggest any flightcrew to do the same.
These clowns can ruin a life if they handle their equipment, tests incorrectly. There is no guarantee of proper training, especially not in Poland.
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The trouble is must companies have an inclusion in the ops manual that they can do this. Maybe a positive can only be a positive when a second hospital check is done. Maybe alcohol hand sanitiser or mouthwash can give a false positive if contaminating the test procedure?
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Rishworth currently has an ad to supply Captains for Enter Air via their Sweden, broom cupboard/New Zealand office - best to stay well clear. However, if it's your only option, be aware of the flawed alcohol/drug testing described above.
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Although the alcohol/drug test given by Enter Air in the crew room, was proven both flawed and false within an hour by hospital laboratory tests (no trace), Enter Air have not paid the fired pilot his owing salary.
This is an injustice and I am trying to assist him. Can anyone confirm if Enter Air will be operating ACMI in the UK this summer and from which airport(s)?
This is an injustice and I am trying to assist him. Can anyone confirm if Enter Air will be operating ACMI in the UK this summer and from which airport(s)?
