???

[malos]

YO

[BeechjetYKZ]

Did you apply for the "catering driver" position? If so, you will definitely be getting a physical/drug test at some point after the 3rd interview. Of course, if you are just going to be working in a flight kitchen, the chance of them drug testing or even giving you a physical (done at the off-site lab) is not as high.

[malos]

thank you

[merlin]

LOL... "I had been a daily marijuana smoker up until I found out about the impending test, then quite cold-turkey. I am obviously not addicted to weed".... This is a Joke right? I wondered how people smoking pot dealt with these drug tests, I have known a number if pilots who are daily users too. Am I right to assume that if you pass the test and get the job you will go right back to the daily smoking?

Im sorry, but you should not get the job.

[xsbank]

I do not care what you do on your own time, in fact I've always believed that drugs should be legal. I DO care that you might be working on a ramp or around aircraft and you will have a drug in your system that could impair you. I agree with the other poster, if smoking up is so important to you, find another line of work.

[PunkStarStudios]

Aviation requires a dedication to a lifestyle change like almost no other (Doctors being another that come immediately to mind). In fat - while a Doctor may be responsible for someone's life occasionally and only one at a time, while a pilot may have the lives of many under their responsibility.

- I have not had a drop to drink in... 6 years. - ok - slight lie - I had half my wife's wine cooler 4 years ago I never had a problem - I've probably been "drunk" less than ten times in my life (when I was in my twenties", never DUI (caught or otherwise) - I just choose not to drink.
- Drugs are just completely out of the question for me.
- I've pretty much given up being a scuba instructor on the side - and honestly dive very very rarely at all the last few years.

So why?

Because as a corporate pilot - it is not unheard of to get a call "Hey, can you come get the plane and be in X in 3 hours for a pick up?"

Now... you're not applying for a pilot - but working the ramp... is still serious biz. Pilots can't have their eyes on everything - so they rely on the professionalism of those working around their plane. Bumping into the gear, or leaving something in a critical spot, no securing a door (etc.) can have profound effects.

I'm not a moron or pious - I don't fault pilots who drink occasionally (DUH) - let's face it, an airline pilot has a schedule they can follow - and even other corporate guys can drink and simply refuse to fly when they are off schedule/call and drinking is NOT illegal. So - I may be guilty of generalization here - but I have to question the judgment of someone who chooses to smoke pot every single day, basically breaking the law daily (the argument on if it should be illegal or not is moot) . Not only would I not want you working for me in the aviation industry - but I'd look at you as a walking time bomb - I can't think of a job I would want you to work at (until you had clean drug tests consecutively for at least 6 months and stayed clean).

(By the way - you're "I'm not addicted to weed" comment is pretty cliche - like the alcoholic that claims they don't have a problem. I don't expect you to agree but it is what it is).

I expect I may get some flame on this.

[flyinggreasemonkey]

It's perfectly legitimate to say that he's not addicted. The biggest part of any addiction is all in your head. From what he's said, he's kicked the habit and is doing a good job in turning his body around away from it.

Ethically speaking, the only way you would deserve to stay in aviation is if you stay off weed. I'd hate to see a food truck run into a Q400 because you were trying to find out if the snozzberries taste like snozzberries.

[Rowdy]

(By the way - you're "I'm not addicted to weed" comment is pretty cliche - like the alcoholic that claims they don't have a problem. I don't expect you to agree but it is what it is).

.

Thank you punkstar!! It baffles me when people are completely oblivious...

THC has been proven time and time again to be addictive. Its also more prominent of an addiction with certain people, those with chemical imbalances and those with certain personality traits. The ONLY people who argue that it isnt, are those that are addicted and completely either mis or uninformed.

The other entertaining portion is that he pointed out he doesnt drink. Remember here.. drinking is perfectly legal and alcohol production all the way through to the sale is very very controlled. Why would you bother pointing that out? Oh. Right. You're trying to tell yourself you're not that 'bad' of an individual because you indulge in an unregulated, illegal activity.

I'm not against pot smokers or have any hate on for it or those involved, however I am very against those that are trying to cheat the system. go through a cleanse to pass the drug screening so you can go right back to it afterwards. Completely unproffesional. I hope you do indeed make good on staying out of it after you are hired.

[angry inch]

Rowdy, do you think an addict can just go on a cleanse for a while & then start back up at their leisure? Or in other words "just turn it on & off"? My understanding of being addicted to something is that the individual is unable to abstain.

I'm not arguing whether pot is or isn't addictive, but pointing out that you seem to contradict yourself saying it is addictive & then going on to suggest that an individual can stop & start when they want...

Thank God booze isn't illegal... anymore....

Good luck with your interview malos. Maybe once you quit that stuff you won't be so paranoid that you resort to coming here seeking advice!

[malos]

THANKS

[North Shore]

Malos,

I'd keep my mouth shut as far as telling the company your past - nothing good can come of it - it'll be an excuse for them to not give you the job. If you've got some time between now and the test, then stay clean, and continue on the path; I'm sure that you'll be ok after a month, and things'll work out well.
Generally, you'll find that most people who are involved in aviation are fairly conservative in their outlook, as aviation can be very unforgiving of mistakes or lapses in judgement. It's a funny go-around, as people will look down their noses at 'druggies' but happily go out to the bar on a Saturday night and pound back 6 beers, conveniently overlooking the fact that both impair your faculties... That being said, DON'T EVER make the mistake of showing up for a ramp job stoned or drunk - because we'll all quite gladly shop you at the first opportunity.

[Rowdy]

Rowdy, do you think an addict can just go on a cleanse for a while & then start back up at their leisure? Or in other words "just turn it on & off"? My understanding of being addicted to something is that the individual is unable to abstain.

!

inch man.. I've become quite well versed on the topic of addiction. there are actually quite a few varying degrees of it and a lot of individual quirks to it. I'm sure you heard of binge drinkers? Weekend warriors so to speak. They arent drunk all the time and aren't what would be termed as "functioning" alcoholics.. they solely rely on the crutch at certain points and it's very much an addiction/problem as well. The binge tendencies are quite high in the world of pot smokers and thus they dont deem themselves to be addicted, as well "I only smoke pot on my days off/at parties/on weekend/with certain friends/etc etc etc" and like to think and explain to others that they aren't Always high and dont Have to smoke if they dont want to. Hmm.. wait a second.. isnt denial one of the keys in addiction? And also a lack of cognitive awareness? Yup!

Most addictions start off from social pressures, like smoking, drinking etc, and after a while it becomes a chemical dependance. Compulsive and repetitive use can cause all kinds of issues. As malos has demonstrated for us, he's made us aware that THC can remain in the blood stream and in the cells for upwards of three months.. sometimes much longer, depending on the individuals metabolism and diet. You want to seriously argue and tell me straight up that a substance that helps the release of the dopeamine (feel good chemical in the human brain) and sticks in your system for that period of time is a non issue and is not addictive? Come on now..

I've unfortunatly watched a few people quite close to me go through some pretty drastic things in relation to addictions. Its quite the eye opener when you see this stuff first hand and get a good understanding from those that have studied and are trying to remedy it.

I'm not trying to be a dick, thats not my intention as I mentioned earlier. Nor was it a personal attack. Although I see i've struck a nerve. I wish you well in your quest to obtain that job and it would be a great thing for you if you actually followed through with your mention of quitting for good. I have great respect for anyone that is cognitively aware and can beat an addiction and is willing to go the extra distance in life for something worthwhile, like a good career.

I know of a couple of others that have tested positive during random screenings and were given a set period of time "off" to recover before being retested. There are many ways which I'm sure you're already aware of to shed the compounds from your body. One word. Water. Lots and lots of water.

[xsbank]

Malos, if you don't want to hear our opinions, why ask?

I too hope you get yourself straight because you will be kicking your own ass if all you can say at the end of it is what you did with your life was smoke up every day. I knew two burnouts who did just that, dropped out of school to smoke and are still doing it 40 years later. No family, menial jobs, health problems.

Good luck.

[westcoasting]

Wow you people are so brainwashed it is hilarious. Weed is completely harmless from a physical point of view, and has many positive effects. Mentally yes it can have negative effects but that is like anything else if you over do it. What is worse, someone smoking weed during their off time in the evenings or getting wasted on a regular basis like many pilots seem to love to do. What about all the pharmaceuticals and chemicals that society is so eager to shove down our bodies and doctors are happy to hand out?

I rather have a pilot who smoked a joint the night before than the one who drank a little to much and is hungover. I know there is no point in arguing with most of hear on this topic though. Finally though I know many successful people that are frequent users and are making a hell of a lot more money than most of us. Also weed is not addicting you simply stop smoking it isn't that hard.....

[merlin]

.... well there you go, its no big deal..... just tell Porter you smoked weed everyday before you knew you had a drug test and now you are freaking out try to clean out so you will pass the drug test. I'm sure they will understand and still hiring you.

Come on people! This is very simple, they have a drug test because they DONT want to hire people like this guy who smokes weed everyday. And thats their right! And they are by no means alone in the pre-employment drug test and not wanting to hire people using ilegal drugs.

You want to change your life.... good on ya! get clean, and show it can last for a time, then go apply for the job you want.

[angry inch]

Too bad there's no test for people who drink every day.

[PunkStarStudios]

p.s. hey Punk Star why don't you come up with a use full app. like the "I Toilet"

Why don't you?
Oh wait.. you're too busy getting stoned and what brain cells you have left probably don't have the capacity too.
ZING!

Alright - alright - all kidding aside. If you're off the weed for good - GREAT! That's frickin' awesome. Just stay off it for good - don't even take the odd toke. I still have to question to judgment of anyone who did it daily but there are exceptions to the rule and I'm open to be proven wrong.

[PunkStarStudios]

Merlin : Classic! too funny.

Westcoasting : Your handle kinda gives away your proclivities Just sayin'. (I don't make up the stereotypes, I just see them). But we are not talking about a casual user... we're talking about a daily user - BIG difference. Hell - I think my wife might be a hoot to hang out with if she toked one some weekend - but seeing as she quit smoking and I just can't condone something illegal I'll have to fantasize. Long term exposure to getting high daily simply CAN'T be good for the brain.

Rowdy : I won't pretend to know more about addiction that what I learn from A&E but I think we can agree that if the poster isn't addicted (which I think he is), then he's at least an habitual user in the worse sense. He's not a "weekend bender", or a social pot smoker - he gets (correction - did until recently) high daily. What could be worse than that?

And to anyone who says that smoking weed isn't a problem.. well... all evidence to the contrary - it is causing a very real problem for the poster - he may rightfully so have a difficult time getting the job he wants.

And to the poster : I think most of us (myself included) did lose sight of the biggest point - you've quitI My Gawd man - If you really have, and are not lying about staying 100% away from it - then that is a HUGE HUGE accomplishment. Frankly - getting or not getting this job is kinda moot in comparison. If nothing else... your life will be on an upswing. So if you don't get the job (sorry - I don't think you should - at least not yet) - who cares - work at something else and watch everything else in your life improve.

The point of my original long post was just to point out that aviation as a profession has a really high bar and frankly not everyone is up for it. Those in the profession generally take it very very seriously - are committed body and soul to it (hell - with the pay you'd have to be) - and are probably more than just a little offended when someone who doesn't appear to hold it in the same esteemed regard shows up wanting in to this great club.

[Rowdy]

Too bad there's no test for people who drink every day.

There is actually...

ohh and westcoasting.. put the bong down dude.. any and all smoke is harmful from a physical standpoint.

I'd rather have a proffesional who wasnt doing EITHER the night before going to work. Impairment is impairment.

[skyler]

Just thought I would add my two cents as an employee of said company:

said I would have to take a physical and a drug test and Security Clearance. When I had my interview at Porter, HR only mentioned a medical test/Security Clearance. Is a medical different from a physical, or is a medical a convenient way of taking care of both?

Different terminology used. You go to the clinic and first off they do the eye and ear tests, height and weight, blood pressure, and give a urine sample. The doctor meets with you and asks general questions about your lifestyle, health, allergies..that sort of thing. Next your given a form to take to another clinic where they take another urine sample along with the blood samples.

Do all employees have to take the test? Or just for Pilots/RAMP Attendants

I wouldn't last long as a runway attendant, even with my nifty hi-viz vest, we'd have to hire hourly.

I know Ramp and catering drivers have to take the drug test and thats normal for most companies, but just asked my wife who briefly worked as a catering helper if she had to take any medical tests and she said she didn't...but that was last year so might have changed. But, if later you decide you want to join us on the ramp, or become a catering driver, they will require a drug test.

Have you gone for the tests yet? If not, I'll ask some of the guys tomorrow.

As for a hiring schedule, there is no set schedule, if enough people stick around they might not hire for that position for awhile though winter seems to weed out (no pun intended) a few people.

[petey]

It's too bad that drug tests are really only testing for marijuana. A person could do a cocktail of "hard" drugs on Friday night, and be clean for the Monday morning pee test. Unfortunate really.

Say no to drugs.