Staff Drug Testing as a Condition of Employment.

Not all DZ's do this, but a few do.

I personally think it is a great thing for the DZ to use in its marketing campaign and not a bad thing to keep every one safe.

Any other opinions out there?

Matt

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Not all DZ's do this, but a few do.

I personally think it is a great thing for the DZ to use in its marketing campaign and not a bad thing to keep every one safe.

Any other opinions out there?

Matt

All for it. My job requires it to allow me to deal with peoples' lives on a daily basis. No opposition to the idea at all.

I think some of the packers would be totally pissed off...but of course if this was enforced at an already in busines DZ...if it was done from scratch it could work.

good luck with that...

Let me begin by saying that I think its a good idea and I'll piss in your bottle anytime.
Have to do it for my job as a condition of employment.

Having said that, one point to contend with is that most staff at a DZ is a relationship of "Independent Contractor."
So unless, there is a Contractor's Agreement in place which has a clause that stipulates...

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Not all DZ's do this, but a few do.

I personally think it is a great thing for the DZ to use in its marketing campaign and not a bad thing to keep every one safe.

Any other opinions out there?

Matt

Sure, I think that regular drug testing is an invasion of privacy.

We don't regularly have a breathalyzer on hand, though if one favors drug testing as a condition for continued employment, maybe we should.

I have no problem with testing in response to an apparent impairment.

But a positive test is not always proof positive that there is an impairment either.

Testing is also a problem when certain drugs are in a hazy status. (Oh! I didn't think about that pun when I first wrote it. Sorry. Questionable or indeterminate status.) There are states with medical marijuana laws, and some that have considered legalization. In California, it is now only an infraction to possess small amounts for personal use. No trial, a fine, and no criminal record.

For tandem masters and pilots, there are plenty of drugs that will invalidate their medical certificates. Do you suggest testing for them? They are equally illegal to be used while exercising the privileges for which the medical certificate is required.

Now, please understand, I do not advocate JUI.

I just don't like testing before the fact.

I think it can be done at a DZ any time. Just have to give advance notice and let every staffer know.

Sure Full Time and Contract Staff will have to have it announced to them in a way to make it "legal".

But truly if the DZO says it is a condition of employment, the staff can take the test or leave.

Matt

Do the States with medical Marijuana have a "throttle to bottle" type clause?

I think "drugs" should fall under the same enforcement as Alcohol.

But until then. As most places none prescription "drugs" are illegal, I think testing is a good marketing and safety plan. I think Safety should be the higher priority of course.

Matt

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Do the States with medical Marijuana have a "throttle to bottle" type clause?

I think "drugs" should fall under the same enforcement as Alcohol.

But until then. As most places none prescription "drugs" are illegal, I think testing is a good marketing and safety plan. I think Safety should be the higher priority of course.

Matt

Most pilots I'm sure are glad it's bottle to throttle, and not the other way around!

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Do the States with medical Marijuana have a "throttle to bottle" type clause?

I think "drugs" should fall under the same enforcement as Alcohol.

But until then. As most places none prescription "drugs" are illegal, I think testing is a good marketing and safety plan. I think Safety should be the higher priority of course.

Matt

Most pilots I'm sure are glad it's bottle to throttle, and not the other way around!

Whoops!

But really, aren't we all racing to happy hour each day at the "grind"?

Matt

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I personally think it is a great thing for the DZ to use in its marketing campaign ...

I have always thought that it is terrible as a marketing idea. It is basically telling customers that "skydiving (and my business) attracts drug users".

If I had a business of any kind, I would want the public to think that it is so professional that the type of person that used drugs would not be interested in working there.

+1 ^^^

Telling the public that "We are a drug-free dropzone" makes people worry about it for every other dropzone where they don't say that.

Ignorance is bliss, and advertising drug testing is a stupid idea.

That too. Either way, it doesn't reflect well on the staff or the management of the business.

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Do the States with medical Marijuana have a "throttle to bottle" type clause?

I think "drugs" should fall under the same enforcement as Alcohol.

But until then. As most places none prescription "drugs" are illegal, I think testing is a good marketing and safety plan. I think Safety should be the higher priority of course.

Matt

In CA, DUI is DUI. Doesn't pertain to just alcohol. I don't know how they establish impairment.

Considering the effects of OTC drugs on the status of your medical, what it comes down to is presenting the illusion of safety, not the fact.

According to the FAA, your pilot of tandem master can be messed up from taking an antihistamine. You are not testing for that.

So again, you present the illusion of safety, not the fact.

Others have commented on the ramification of that illusion. No need to repeat them here.

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I personally think it is a great thing for the DZ to use in its marketing campaign ...

I have always thought that it is terrible as a marketing idea. It is basically telling customers that "skydiving (and my business) attracts drug users".

If I had a business of any kind, I would want the public to think that it is so professional that the type of person that used drugs would not be interested in working there.

you bring up a very good point.

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Ignorance is bliss, and advertising drug testing is a stupid idea.

I don't know the demographics of tandem passengers, but I would imagine a significant percentage of them are employed. Of those, a significant percentage are likely to be subject to drug testing. 20 years ago I would agree the general response would be - "boy they must have had a drug problem here". In todays employment environment, I think the general response would be "of course they should be subject to drug testing."

Hell - I have to pee in a cup just to be allowed to develop software upon which nobody's life depends.

I think it's a great idea! It would clean up the field of instructors, especially down in your neck of the woods.

DZ can do what they like with their private businesses. I think it's a great idea and a good note on the website - but I wouldn't build a marketing plan around it.

Care to expand on that statement?

Where he's working now has been clean for years.
At least 8 years that I've been there it has been.

I wouldn't say it should be the plan, but mentioned, yes.

And to those who are trying to say it s a bad idea, like it has been, mentioned drug testing for employment is common place now.

So I ask:
Why would we as an Industry want to "avoid" drug testing?

Many DZ's say they are the safest or better than the other DZ nearby. Wouldn't this be part of safety?

Don't you send instructors off to brush their teeth when they smell like a brewery? how about when they smell like they got baked in Spicoli's van?

It is about the perception of a Professional Skydiving Center. How can one look like a Professional Business if it puts on the facade of a counter culture environment?

Skydiving is no longer out of the public eye. WE need to keep up with where we have taken our selves.

Matt

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Where he's working now has been clean for years.
At least 8 years that I've been there it has been.

Ya lost me. I know your responding to driver1 about his comment towards me, but I am lost.

Matt

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DZ can do what they like with their private businesses. I think it's a great idea and a good note on the website - but I wouldn't build a marketing plan around it.

that about sums it up for me.

lots of people fail to understand that you're free to do business where you like.

Don't like the staff? policies? prices? Go somewhere else.
No one is forcing you to patronize any establishment.
vote with your feet and/or wallet ;)

I also am stuck in other 'professional' stereotypes.

good breath
haircut
shaved
polite
no smoking in front of/around students

how incredibly close minded, huh?

crazy concept when you are trying to get mainstream business in field where trust is pretty important - it's not about what I, or any other jumper, personally thinks, it's about what the customers will take in so they come and spend their money

be clean and professional, enjoy the experience with the customer and make it fun, take your cues from the customer as to what they are enjoying and being annoyed by, be relaxed, be informative. It's ok for them to see we cut it up after the light goes on just as much as it's good to see we are fun but professional while working

I'm still surprised at the number of 'skydiving professionals' that act like their business/employment is all about them and not about the customer.