JetBlue Warns Of ‘Spike’ in Flight Attendants Failing Drug Tests But Union Says There Might Be An Innocent Explanation
JetBlue has witnessed a “spike” in flight attendants failing random drug and alcohol tests, and the union that represents crew members at the New York-based carrier has warned that the airline has a “zero tolerance” approach to positive test results.
Despite the seriousness of failing a random drug test, however, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) says there might be a completely innocent explanation for the worrying spike in positive test results.
“We must check on each other and say something if you see something before it is too late, as we have seen an increase in failed drug and alcohol tests,” the union told JetBlue flight attendants in a recent memo.
Under federal law, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has the power to conduct random drug and alcohol testing on a wide range of aviation workers in “safety-sensitive roles,” with pilots and flight attendants being a particular focus for the agency.
Each year, airlines must select a percentage of eligible employees for a random test, which is currently set at 25% of workers for a drug test and 10% for an alcohol test.
The drug tests currently authorized by the FAA look for a wide range of banned substances, including tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is found in marijuana. A positive drug test that detects even a small quantity of THC is likely to lead to immediate termination.
The TWU union, however, warns there could be a very innocent explanation for more flight attendants failing drug tests – THC is also found in perfectly legal CBD products, which are non-psychoactive and don’t cause a ‘high.’
Unfortunately, no matter how innocent, JetBlue and many other US carriers don’t account for the reason for the positive test result. A zero-tolerance policy remains in place, and a positive test result will still be taken extremely seriously.
JetBlue’s flight attendants aren’t the first airline workers to be warned to steer clear of popular CBD products. In 2023, flight attendants at United Airlines were also warned about the dangers of consuming gummies and drinks containing CBD or even using products like soap and lotions.
Several months after this warning, the union that represents flight attendants at American Airlines also claimed that popular over-the-counter cold and flu medicines could be leading to a rise in failed alcohol tests.
NyQuil cold and flu nighttime relief liquid contains 10% alcohol, and many other popular over-the-counter cold, flu, and cough medicines also contain alcohol. It may seem like an unusual ingredient, but alcohol is said to help dissolve the active ingredients in the medicine.
If a flight attendant fails a drug or alcohol test, their employer must refer them to a substance abuse program, but it’s up to the individual airline whether to offer the crew member a second chance after successful completion of this program and allow them to keep their job.
JetBlue maintains a zero-tolerance policy, and crew members face termination of they fail a drug or alcohol test, although self-disclosing before being selected for a test could be a path to a flight attendant keeping their job.
Importantly, however, a crew member can’t self-disclose a drug or alcohol problem after they have been selected for a random test.
Matt’s Take – Random Drug And Alcohol Testing Has Been Stepped Up In Recent Years
There are an increasing number of countries around the world that have followed the FAA’s lead in introducing random drug and alcohol testing on safety-sensitive aviation workers.
In Europe, for example, it’s not uncommon for pilots and flight attendants to suddenly be subjected to alcohol breathalyzer tests as they are heading to the plane.
Last November, two Delta Air Lines flight attendants were pulled off a flight from Amsterdam to New York JFK after they failed alcohol breath tests at Schiphol Airport. Dutch police said they tested 445 pilots and flight attendants in the space of just three hours.
European countries have been required to conduct random alcohol breath tests of aircrew since February 2021.
For US pilots and flight attendants, FAR 91.17 and FAR 91.17 spells out the prohibitions for pilots, flight attendants and other crew members. What some people don’t realize is that if the pilot or flight attendant is riding in a jump seat whether in uniform or not, they are now “crew members”. If I am riding in the cockpit jump seat (I don’t wear a uniform as an instructor), I am legally a crew member. If the gate agent offers me a seat in the cabin, I am still legally bound to the cockpit and cannot partake in alcoholic beverages. Same thing applies to flight attendants. If they are riding in a jump seat, they are technically an off duty crew member and thus the rules apply. If I THINK I might ride in a jump seat, the 8 hour rule applies to me as well. Same thing with the flight attendants. Be very careful of what you ingest within that 8 hour limitation!