Medical Question

[garf12]

I was told that for the medical they will get a urine sample. Do they do a drug test with this, or is it just to check for other stuff. Dont get the wrong idea I'm not a crack head, I just enjoy smoking a little MJ every so often. So no spills please, and I never smoke 12 hours before flying.

 

[Jedi_Cheese]

I have bad news, it's time to quit smoking and pick up alcoholicism. Learn to fly with a .039 BAC and drag out the preflight so you make the 8 hours rule. Bonus points if you carry a case in your aircraft and down it while walking into the FBO.

From what I have heard, they don't check on 3rd and 2nd class medicals. They are looking for symptoms of medical problems.

 

[garf12]

sweet thats what I figured. I'm just not a big drinker, makes me feel like crap!

 

[mizzouguy]

This question is a joke right?. Oh and by the way many flight schools do require mandatory drug tests.

 

[Snakum]

Could you kindly tell me where you're flying, so I can stay far, far away?

Minh

 

[Swass]

Dude watch the smoke, if it ever got out that you use then it will be WAY harder to explain away than a drinking incident. Why start such a competetive career with anything left to chance. Control what you can control, don't get into senseless trouble. There are thousands of guys you will compete with that won't make such mistakes.


.02

 

[dmspilot00]

He didn't say he wants to make a career out of flying, but anyway, maybe should take up boating instead?

 

[350DRIVER]

Could you kindly tell me where you're flying, so I can stay far, far away?

I will second the above...

Not very good at all, some value "life"...


3 5 0

 

[garf12]

well I see the gov has gotten to all of yall with their lies about marijuana.

 

[macfly]

Jess guys, ease up. I can see that some of you twinks have never flown with a hang-over. It's not fun and you can be sloppy. I would much rather some guy fly the next day (8-12hours) after he smoked a little grass, then if he had pounded a 12pack and a few shots.

The guy prefers to smoke a little grass, big deal. And no, they dont test for drugs for any medical as far as I know. If you fly professionally, you will get drug tested, no doubt.

Bottom line, if you like to smoke, then being a pro-pilot is going to be a very difficult task.

As far as training, there were more than a few that burned em down in my class.

 

[bobbysamd]

A little friendly $0.02 advice . . . . .

Consider it in terms of the worst case. What if you get into some kind of incident? Or some fed ramps you? I realize that a fed will not administer an on-the-spot drug test. Although you might have last toked longer than twelve hours before, it takes far longer for your system to eliminate the THC component of weed that for it to eliminate alcohol. I read long ago that it takes a month for your body to eliminate residual cannabinoids. Moreover, piloting an airplane is a major responsibility. You might think you're sober but you still could have some lingering effects from smoking that could affect your judgment. Perhaps it's time to give up grass.

Just a little food for thought for the next time you roll a "J."

This reminds me of an old joke: If marijuana is not addictive, then why do so many teenagers think Cheech and Chong are funny?

 

[macfly]

Bobby has a good point, what if you accidentally chop someone if half with your C152 prop? If you had smoked a couple of weeks ago there would be traces of MJ in your system and you might test positive for illegal drugs when the NTSB does its accident investigation.

wrongful death?

But, on the other hand the fact that alcohol is "legally" out of system after 12 hours doesnt mean your safe to fly either. Your BAC could measure zero and your sloppy at best. I've flown after a night of partying and well, too say the least, I felt like crap and I didnt need to be anywhere but in the bed. Alcohol has some serious aftermath effects on ones mellon. Most pot smokers I've known swear that they feel no ill effects the next day.

 

[sqwkvfr]

well I see the gov has gotten to all of yall with their lies about marijuana.

My friend, you need to read up on the "five hazardous attitudes." You'll notice at #1 (At least in my Jepp manual) is ANTI-AUTHORITY.

You've got two strikes....anti-authority and drug use.

Stay away from aircraft until you shed 'em both. Decision making is a big (read: most important) part of flying....this should be an easy one.

 

[garf12]

dont worry I allways take a hit of crack before flying to wake me up from my stoned state.

 

[bobbysamd]

Marijuana

well I see the gov has gotten to all of yall with their lies about marijuana.

No, all this is common knowledge that's been around for two generations, at least. Even though you might feel fine after smoking the night before, you will still have residuals of cannabis in your system, meaning you will still be slightly "high." Altitude will accentuate the effects, just as it does for lingering boozing aftereffects. Go study medical effects of flying and, in particular, toxic hypoxia.

Once again, do yourself and your fellow pilots a favor and give up grass. Not to mention that that the antidote to "anti-authority" is "follow the rules, they're usually right."

 

[TRLpilot]

to get your money's worth, climb up to 12,000' or so without oxygen and spark up a big fatty, you'll feel like you're at 21,000' after a couple of puffs.

the urine samples aren't to check drugs but if something ever happened it wouldn't be good to have it in your system when the feds come around.