Drugs & Alcohol in the Airline Industry

Most of us know that U.S. airlines require strict background checks and alcohol tests before anyone can work on an airline. The FAA requires alcohol detection drug service testing as a way to make sure that mechanics and other workers working on the airlines are safe and are providing safe transportation to passengers. After all, many passengers take airplanes each day, there should be strict regulations in place. An alcohol testing device can be used at random as well as drug testing done at random intervals to ensure workers are staying drug and alcohol free.

While it is good these regulations are in the place for U.S. airlines, they don't extend to foreign repair stations certified by the FAA. This could be very problematic. After all, do all drug and alcohol problems disappear overseas? It's doubtful. So, why isn't the FAA regulating all aspects of airline maintenance? If 9/11 told us anything it is that there are bad people in this world out to get us, and they are not all homegrown. We need to be diligent in our safety.

Every year, the FAA finds an unfortunate number of pilot, mechanics and other workers that have been compromised and are violating alcohol and drug safety rules. Further, there are probably even more each year denied employment because they can't pass the strict rules in the place. However, it is scary to think that these rules are being violated so much when our safety is concerned. However, it is even worse to think of those repair stations that simply don't test at all. Where is the wisdom in that?

What can the government do to make sure these foreign repair stations are meeting the same expectations as those on U.S. soil? They should take the time to put in place the same guidelines, to level the playing field and to make sure that with all repairs the American people are going to be safe when flying. We would all like to rest a little easier knowing that we are flying with equipment that has not been in impaired hands.

It's too bad that abuse of drug and alcohol is so prevalent in so many areas of life. From our schools to our work places to our homes to our transportation, it seems that no area is left untouched. While regulations and strict protocols won't solve all our problems it is a start. It will help work places and others weed out people who can't do their job safely. By hiring and keeping on people who aren't following a strict background check, alcohol testing and drug testing guidelines, the safety of many lives is on the line. That is simply unacceptable.

It seems to always take death at the hand of a drunk driver to make people remember and want to impose rules and regulations on alcohol. Why wait until an airplane crashes because of an impaired technician or mechanic? By taking the time now to impose these strict regulations it is going to make a long lasting impact. The quality of work being done and the quality of workers being hired is going to improve if they know that the guidelines are strict and are going to be enforced across the board.

We all want to feel safe when we get on a boat, train, automobile or plane. The government needs to seek to find safe ways to uphold and put in place safety protocols that will ensure transportation is as safe as it can be. Let's not wait until a catastrophe to get the job done.

About the Author: Rebecca Beckett is a freelance writer for Innuity. If you would like more information about alcohol detection drug service testing or alcohol testing device go to Tr