Positive tests are taken very seriously and are grounds for being suspended or fired from the job. But not all pilots are subject to drug tests. The FAA only mandates testing for employees working for certified air carriers (Part 121 or 135 operators).
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As with most safety-related jobs, professional pilots get drug tested for employment. Airline and charter pilots are also subject to the same Department of Transportation random drug testing programs that other industries have.
Employer Response to a Failed Drug TestThe employer is required to immediately remove the pilot from safety sensitive duties, provide a list of Substance Abuse Professionals (SAP), and report the failed test to the FAA within 2 working days. Unfortunately, the employer can also terminate the pilot's job at this time.
According to CFR Part 40.85, the standard urine samples are tested for marijuana metabolites, cocaine metabolites, amphetamines, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP).
As with most safety-related jobs, professional pilots get drug tested for employment. Airline and charter pilots are also subject to the same Department of Transportation random drug testing programs that other industries have.
And because drug tests can't tell the difference between THC and CBD, pilots who are suspected of using THC, accidentally through CBD or otherwise, can be subject to certificate revocation while a positive drug test following an accident could even jeopardize insurance coverage.
For pilots, avoidance is recommended when it comes to any CBD products. It's helpful to become aware of other common CBD terminology like “full or broad spectrum” and read product labels carefully, including the ingredients.
The details are in CFR Part 40. According to CFR Part 40.85, the standard urine samples are tested for marijuana metabolites, cocaine metabolites, amphetamines, opioids, and phencyclidine (PCP).
How many pilots fail drug tests? The FAA has found that about 0.06 percent of pilots and air traffic controllers have a confirmed positive drug test, which works out to a cost of about $45,000 per positive result.
Commercial pilots will be allowed tattoos in some airlines as long as they are covered. This means if a pilot has a sleeve-type tattoo on their arm, they must wear a long sleeve shirt to cover it. Most major airlines do not allow tattoos that cannot be covered.
In most large commercial airlines, pilots are allowed to have facial hair, as are the flight attendants. However, this facial hair does need to be kept tidy (neatly trimmed) or stylish (longer beard styles) and shouldn't make the aviation pilot look less professional.
Consequences of a Verified Positive Drug TestAn employee who has a positive FAA drug test cannot return to the performance of safety-sensitive functions until and unless the employee successfully completes the return-to-duty process outlined in 49 CFR Part 40, Subpart O.
According to the Bureau Of Labor Statistics, the median salary for airline captains, first-officers, second-officers, and flight engineers in the United States is $203,010 as of 2021. However, those working for major airlines as airline transport pilots can earn a much higher airline pilot salary than this.