Marijuana Poll

[xsbank]

Lots of controversy on this site about whether its OK to smoke on your time off. We are clear on the use of alcohol, what about marijuana? These results are not random because we are a pre-selected group and there are certain members who feel very strongly about this issue, but let's try and get a feel for the general attitudes of this group. Also, I don't wish to sidetrack this poll with legality arguments.

[gianthammer]

no to him

[Colonel Sanders]

Personally, I don't think a serious pilot should smoke
cigarettes or drink alcohol, either.

[PositiveRate27]

Personally, I don't think a serious pilot should smoke
cigarettes or drink alcohol, either.

Is this a sarcastic comment or something you actually believe?

I personally do agree with that statement. I'd settle for at least not drinking withing 24 hours of reporting for duty.



As for OP's question, I know you didn't want to bring legality into the subject, however, it is unfortunately an illegal substance. I believe that fact on its own should be enough to disqualify it from recreational use as a pilot. If you don't like it, go fly in the Netherlands.

We are professionals in the service industry and have a duty to operate under the laws and regulations set forth in the country we work in. There are some personal sacrifices that go along with those responsibilities and privileges. Some people on this board seem to forget that being given the keys to a multi-million dollar piece of equipment, filled with hundreds of lives, is a privilege and hence you have a responsibility to your employer and paying customer. I also don't like the argument "What I do in my own time is my right." Take a professional athlete for example. Does an NHL player only have to adhere to a strict diet and regimented exercise program when he's at the rink? Does he have the right to be eating double cheese burgers with milkshakes and get trashed every night as long as he eats properly when he's at the rink and adheres to his coach's 8 hours between bottle and puck drop rule? Call me crazy, but I feel you give up some of your rights when you elect this line of work. It's not always about what's best for you.

I'm not comparing being a Pilot to an NHL player, or a brain surgeon, but I wouldn't want my neurosurgeon blazing up in his off time. Nor would I wan't my pilot to be a chain smoker with the night vision of a horse with blinders on.


PR

[Chuck Ellsworth]

So far one third of the posters here see nothing wrong with a commercial pilot being a drug user.

Fuc.ing amazing.

[esp803]

commercial pilot being a drug user

Where do you draw the line? I've had oral surgery to get wisdom teeth removed and was administered with Ketamine, then subsequently given Codeine based T3's for pain, those are both much more powerful drugs then marijuana. Does this may me a drug user? How about the other powerful narcotic pain killers? How about someone who works a 3 month on 3 month off rotation and tokes up for the first week off, then clean for 2.75 months before returning to the flight line? How about COUNTLESS pilots who self medicate over the counter sinus medication when they feel something coming on? What about WHEN it gets legalized? What about chronic pain? How about someone who was fighting cancer and using marijuana to increase their appetite (assuming after beating it they get a new class 1)? I don't think you can generalize like this. To each their own, as I've stated in other posts, what others do on their free time is none of my business AS LONG AS it does not effect the safety of themselves or others.

E

[Colonel Sanders]

something you actually believe?

uh, yup.

[Chuck Ellsworth]

Where do you draw the line?

When the drug being used is " illegal ".

Marijuana use is legal in Holland, however if you get a random drug test in Amsterdam at the airport and show positive for THC what do you think your chances of flying for KLM will be?

[esp803]

When the drug being used is " illegal ".

Fair Enough.

E

[ybwflyguy]

Legality shouldn't come into this discussion. Anyone else have speeding points on their license? The way I see it, working for airlines (especially regional) is gonna become ever more stressful. Low pay, over-worked, divorces etc etc, people will often seek a crutch to relax. Just make sure whatever you partake in doesn't have a lasting effect when you show up to work (hopefully several days later). For the record I enjoy a few drinks, but have met enough successful people who have the occasional toke to question both sides of this debate....

[FICU]

Fuc.ing amazing.

Concur 100%!

[Ecco]

Someone should re name this tread " Tread for dummy fix wing drug user" So far i can easily ident 3 of em !!

Congrats on giving us your name here before it appears on the stats !

[FICU]

For the record I enjoy a few drinks, but have met enough successful people who have the occasional toke to question both sides of this debate....

Having previously worked in the ski industry I have known pot smokers that when sober and not smoking would never be allowed to operate an aircraft I'd put my family on.

Would those 1/3rd of respondents want to be a pax with a stoner in command even though he/she didn't smoke up the night before?

[jpilot77]

Before I was a pilot I worked in the ski and bar industry and I knew pot smokers that the first thing they'd do in the morning would be to toke up. If they did the same thing with booze people would say they had a serious drinking problem, but because it was all natural weed it was ok.

Another thing is that marajuhana is much more potent than it was even ten years ago and continues to grow in potency.

[Chuck Ellsworth]

XSbank::

I can not believe the percentage of posters here who think using an illegal drug is O.K. for a commercial pilot.

Did you think that there would be so many?

Reading this makes me think that maybe random drug testing for pilots would cull the herd and maybe the wages would go up when the supply and demand issue got sorted out.

[Colonel Sanders]

I can not believe the percentage of posters here who think using an illegal drug is O.K. for a commercial pilot

Currently, an unbelievable 38%.

It's too bad that we lost the demographics. It
would have been really interesting to get people's
ages in this poll. I suspect we would see a huge
split between older (no pot) and younger (toke up)
pilots.

Jesus, I sure hope TC (and reporters) don't read this.

[Chuck Ellsworth]

Jesus, I sure hope TC (and reporters) don't read this.

T.C. really has no real meaning anymore in Canadian aviation, however I for one would love to see a news reporter print this survey.

One thing for sure it gives a whole new meaning to " Professionalism "

[The Other Kind]

One thing for sure it gives a whole new meaning to " Professionalism "

Keep in mind folks, we have no idea who is voting in this poll. For all we know, the majority of those saying it's ok may not even be pilots, let alone commercial pilots. I suspect the waters are being muddied by those who don't have a horse in the race.

[Doc]

1/3 of you think it's Okay to use a substance that is considered a criminal activity in this country? (be that right or wrong, not being the issue here) Are you people for real? And you want to start a "professional" college?
On which planet do you people live? What a frikken embarrassment! I'm ashamed to be associated with you! It shows a TOTAL lack or respect for safety and the laws of the land. If you don't like the law.....CHANGE IT.....don't piss on it. You bottom feeders!

[shimmydampner]

Personally, I don't think a serious pilot should smoke
cigarettes or drink alcohol, either.

Is this a sarcastic comment or something you actually believe?

I personally do agree with that statement. I'd settle for at least not drinking withing 24 hours of reporting for duty.

What's wrong with the Colonel's statement? Smoking weed, smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol: all involve ingesting toxins into your body, the continued, chronic use of which degrades mental acuity, motor skills, general health, etc. (all of which happen to be very important for pilots) even when not directly "under the influence." Sure, one is illegal, but that's neither here nor there. The fact is that chronic or even semi-regular indulgence in any one, degrades functions necessary to be your best. Anyone who regularly indulges in one yet frowns upon another is really just a hypocrite.

[Chuck Ellsworth]

Keep in mind folks, we have no idea who is voting in this poll. For all we know, the majority of those saying it's ok may not even be pilots, let alone commercial pilots. I suspect the waters are being muddied by those who don't have a horse in the race.

O.K. Fair comment, however unless some posters are voting more than once this is an aviation forum so common sense would dictate it is read by aviation people.

Can the mods tell us if some votes were entered more than once by one poster?

[PositiveRate27]

Personally, I don't think a serious pilot should smoke
cigarettes or drink alcohol, either.

Is this a sarcastic comment or something you actually believe?

I personally do agree with that statement. I'd settle for at least not drinking withing 24 hours of reporting for duty.

What's wrong with the Colonel's statement? Smoking weed, smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol: all involve ingesting toxins into your body, the continued, chronic use of which degrades mental acuity, motor skills, general health, etc. (all of which happen to be very important for pilots) even when not directly "under the influence." Sure, one is illegal, but that's neither here nor there. The fact is that chronic or even semi-regular indulgence in any one, degrades functions necessary to be your best. Anyone who regularly indulges in one yet frowns upon another is really just a hypocrite.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with the Colonel's statement, It is just a very rare stance in this industry and I was just confirming that he meant what he said. As I said in my post, I agree with what he said. I do not do any drugs, aside from prescription drugs when on leave from work due to said injury. I don't smoke and I haven't had a drop of alcohol in years. I stand by what I say and I've gained a lot of respect for the Colonel for his views as well.

[Old fella]

I had my first toke and my first BJ at the same time - beat that!!!!!!

[Colonel Sanders]

It is just a very rare stance in this industry

I guess. The fact is, if I screw up even a little bit, I am dead.

No drugs, no tobacco, no alcohol.

[PositiveRate27]

It is just a very rare stance in this industry

I guess. The fact is, if I screw up even a little bit, I am dead.

No drugs, no tobacco, no alcohol.

I doff my cap to you sir, and if we ever cross paths, the first round of cranberry juice is on me