QF pilot relieved of duty due to alleged alcohol intake above the PCA limits

[anat0l]

Australia's air-safety regulator also released figures today showing that only 45 people out of 51,000 tested for drugs and alcohol between late 2008 – when the regime was implemented – and March this year recorded positive readings.

I didn't think a debate about the sufficiency of testing was going to be sparked by all of this.

For the record, 45 out of 51,000 translates to an equivalent ratio of about 1 in 1,133. I'm not sure what is considered (from a statistician / risk analysis / business person / union / etc. point of view) as 'infinitesimally low', but it should be noted that those two words carry significant meaning.

 

[markis10]

I didn't think a debate about the sufficiency of testing was going to be sparked by all of this.

For the record, 45 out of 51,000 translates to an equivalent ratio of about 1 in 1,133. I'm not sure what is considered (from a statistician / risk analysis / business person / union / etc. point of view) as 'infinitesimally low', but it should be noted that those two words carry significant meaning.

Its coincidental, only natural when news surfaces one may ask how big a problem it is, and the stats published by CASA are somewhat meaningless without the framework around where how and why. Anecdotal evidence from many pilots suggest the testing is often done at the end of a shift, regardless its good to see something to goes to address the question.

It was not too long ago we had the accident at HTI where the pilot was shown to have been over the limit which cost 6 lives, one of the main factors that resulted in the testing regime being introduced, I remember it well because I had chartered that aircraft (and possibly the same pilot) during my wedding stay on Brampton to get us back to MKY in the weeks before the accident - http://www.skybrary.aero/bookshelf/books/1110.pdf.

In 2005 the ATSB did a survey, 25.7% of surveyed pilots employed in aviation responded that alcohol, drugs or prescribed medication had an effect on flight safety at least once in the previous 12 months. At the end of the day pilots are human, with human problems.

 

[sail0r]

Re: Qantas pilot pulled from duty after drinking

I work in an office. I know its different because we aren't put in charge of other peoples lives but we are trusted that we do not turn up for work under the influence of anything stronger than coffee. I've never worked in a job where staff have to be tested to prove they are fit to work so I'm asking about how it works.

I'm not sure I could work long-term for an employer that does not trust me but i understand some of you work in very different industries to me.

I work in an office too, a clients office,2 days a week.

As a consulting engineer, I respect their decision to conduct random breath testing. If I am not on my game, things can break and people can get injured or killed. Not as immediate as a pilot, but the end result can be the same.

I don't see it as a matter of trust at all. I'm sure we have all known people to make bad choices when it comes to combining drinking and working. The company are actually taking a positive position in helping to assure the quality of work.

 

[Sprucegoose]

With a zero tolerance, the pilot should have known better, but... The grey areas are huge and we should be hesitant in passing judgement until all facts are known.

I have stood workers down after they have blown 0.01 on a site at 6am. Site rules, yes. Did they break the site rules? Yes. Would I have risked my life with these people in a car or any other area? Yes.

We need to keep in the back of our minds a few things.

1. The pilot broke the rules if in fact she blew greater than 0.00
2. Being under 0.05 is not illegal in Australia, however, QF have a zero tolerance policy and she broke it.
3. Blowing positive does not automatically mean you are drunk
4. In a small framed person, two glasses of wine after dinner, after 9pm will give a positive result until around 8am the following day (this is from some company guidelines to working on mine sites with zero tolerance)

I thought there was only one rule in the west. Ten before ten......


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