John Carr Speaks to Drug Screening

The post John Carr put up yesterday about the U.S. DOT’s proposed new guidelines for administering drug tests to some aviation employees would be absolutely hilarious if it wasn’t so sick. John posted comments from the general counsel for the PASS employees – airways systems technicians – that outline the new drug testing rules.

If you’re returning to duty, or have tested positive in the past for whatever reason, employees will now be expected to offer a urine sample while the supervisor watches in order to guarantee authenticity. And did I tell you that all will be expected to remove their underclothes and bend over to prove they’re not hiding anything?

But it’s not really all that bad because, “After this is done, they may return their clothing to its proper position and contribute a specimen in such manner that the observer can see the urine exiting directly from the individual into the collection container, as required under current regulations.”

I guess this is a just a bit more of that warm fuzzy – mmm, no pun intended here, really – from DOT’s Mary Peters to the folks who are part of that wonderful team of transportation professionals she keeps talking about.

I’m supposed to believe that handling employees like this is fine according to Peters, right?

And the DOT logic that gave us this little procedure, is the same bunch of brains that Peters and her staff used to develop the slot sale program at Newark that just about everyone in aviation thinks is the dumbest idea ever conceived. Even the airlines don’t like Peters … and that’s really saying something.

Unless the procedure is axed, the new drug testing will take effect later this month. I can’t wait to see what NATCA will have to say about this one.