Pilot refuses to fly after passenger smoked marijuana in lavatory

[Astro14]

Think of all the times someone has done it without our knowledge.

Yeah, that’s about zero.

People think they’re getting away with smoking or vaping in the lavatory, and they always get caught.

Then they try to deny it. Then it creates a problem, then we end up having the police meet the airplane.

 

[rijndael]

Those of us who've never smoked, and didn't lose our sense of smell in covid, can smell it from 100Y away. Cigarettes too, I can smell them 3 cars back at a stop light, after just a few seconds.

You can't hide it.

 

[bdcardinal]

Are you a doctor?

Would you be willing to post a bond for several million dollars in assurance of that position?

My grandparents were really good friends with Van Shepard. They would tell me how on nights before a flight he was the most boring person on the planet so he could be in a good mental place for a test flight.

 

[Urshurak776]

I know the US Navy did some testing with hotboxing. 2 or 3 people smoking the Mary Jane in a car, one person not smoking. He was tested the next day and from what I remember there WAS a very low level in his urine. Some employers look for a level above a certain point. So, not really sure how that would apply to a pilot, but I would imagine it would be zero tolerance, like the Navy is.

Bottom line, he was RIGHT in calling it out right away. Bravo!

 

[rijndael]

FAA is zero tolerance.

 

[4WD]

It seems near impossible that someone could smoke pot in an enclosed space of about 32 ft³, and no one else would know.

Don’t think that moron will be home tonight …

 

[Glenda W.]

Railroad industry is the same way. Spot checks by the FRA and the company. Zero tolerance policy. I’ve had to leave many concerts early. Now that I’m retired I stay despite second hand smoke.

 

[4strokes]

Weed should be illegal except for medical use and definitely not in a public place

That's going to require a lot of jail space, and while we're at it bring back prohibition

 

[JeffKeryk]

Yeah, that’s about zero.

People think they’re getting away with smoking or vaping in the lavatory, and they always get caught.

Then they try to deny it. Then it creates a problem, then we end up having the police meet the airplane.

I've smelled it in the lavatory. This was approx 50 years ago, as I recall. I was on a flight to Phoenix to visit my sister.
I don't remember anyone getting into trouble, but I could be mistaken.

Regardless, if you can't follow the rules, don't fly.

 

[y_p_w]

There’s a minefield of all manner of substances that aren’t OK. The nonsedating antihistamines I take have a fairly long period from last dose to a commercial pilot being allowed to fly. Benadryl is 60 hours. Chlorpheniramine is 5 days.

Just had a closer look. I thought there was something like 24 hours for Allegra, but it's listed as OK. The sedating antihistamines stay in the bloodstream fairly long. Most people would just grab a cup of coffee in the morning, but I guess it's a lot less forgiving for pilots.

They do note that any pilot taking a medication for the first time should note the effect.

https://www.faa.gov/pilots/medical_certification/media/OTCMedicationsforPilots.pdf

 

[RDMgr]

The pilot should be careful not eating poppy seed bagels or so too.

or a poppy seed lemon muffin like Elaine Benes

 

[duck__dodgers]

preaching to the choir, but it's wild we've come to the point in society where siding with zero tolerance and the person who's responsible for your life is even a point of discussion.

C'mon you squares.... you only have a <1 in xx,000,000 chance of dying during a commercial flight, what's the problem if it changes by a smidge!

 

[PandaBear]

FAA is zero tolerance.

Unless a person with authority from FAA got a specific clearance telling the pilot "go ahead, you are clear" after this, walking off the plane and refusing to fly is the only right decision.

I wouldn't trust even a doctor or Nobel prize winner in medicine telling me it is fine, only the official authority from FAA. Just curious though what is the official decontamination policy and how do they clear it for new pilots and crews?

 

[PandaBear]

The pilot should be careful not eating poppy seed bagels or so too.

As far as I know poppy seed is illegal and considered narcotic in some countries. Pilots are wise not to eat it and airports are wise not to sell it. You don't want to chance it.

 

[RhondaHonda]

Are you a doctor?

Would you be willing to post a bond for several million dollars in assurance of that position?

I’m not, but I’ve got common sense.