Failed MEPS drug test, can i still fly comm.?
06-07-2014, 08:11 AM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2010
Position: Supine
Posts: 257
When you apply for a medical, I believe the form asks if you have a history of substance abuse or have failed a drug test ever. It doesn't say DOT drug test, it just says drug test. If you check no and they find out that was a lie, the FAA won't look on that too kindly. By the way.
06-07-2014, 08:32 AM
#12
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,041
When you apply for a medical, I believe the form asks if you have a history of substance abuse or have failed a drug test ever. It doesn't say DOT drug test, it just says drug test. If you check no and they find out that was a lie, the FAA won't look on that too kindly. By the way.
Also...be aware that some major airlines will perform an FAA First Class Medical exam as part of the hiring process. If they do a formal 1C conducted by an AME and have you fill out the FAA form this would mean you would have to disclose it since presumably you already checked that box on previous FAA medicals.
06-07-2014, 08:36 AM
#13
Working weekends
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Position: Left Seat
Posts: 2,384
Hey everyone, here is my dilemma. When I was young and stupid I chose to smoke weed for the first time a month before I was going for my military MEPS screening, thinking I would be fine since I don't do any drugs. I ended up failing my drug screening and have never forgiven myself since. I am a private pilot with 100 hours of flight time and a business degree. I desperately want to start a career as a commercial pilot and start my training, but I don't know if that test I failed over 6 years ago for MEPS will hinder me from getting a job with the airlines once I achieve my 1500 hours. Will they find out or will it come up on a background check? Any thoughts or comments would be much appreciated, thank you.
FAA Medical Certification / Airman Medical Application Form 8500-8
Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners
I would confess, and admit it. Don't roll the dice on FAA not talking to other branches/military. This is the age of Google, wikileaks, Big Brother, etc etc
06-08-2014, 11:34 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2014
Position: 141 IFR Student
Posts: 114
The drug test administered at MEPS is a non-evidentiary test. It is likely that there is no record of the drug test. How do I know that? Glad you asked. I am currently on active duty and I am my units UPL (Unit Prevention Leader...the guy who collects evidentiary urine samples for lab testing). If they collected your sample and dipped a test stick in it then it is non-evidentiary. If they forensically collected and controlled the sample from you and sent it to either Tripler AMC or Walter Reed then it was evidentiary and could be used against you. In any case I think the fact that you failed a drug test for a potential employer is what’s most important. Be honest and hope that your next potential employer will overlook youthful indiscretion.
06-11-2014, 08:17 PM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2012
Position: 737
Posts: 1,061
If I had a nickel for every post on here about legal trouble from potential candidates. I'll be blunt: Don't try to kid yourself. You've either got to deal with a failed drug test or lie about a failed drug test. Maybe it should be a lesson to everyone else.
06-11-2014, 08:42 PM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: Volleyball Player
Posts: 4,024
Just be glad you don't have to take a real government pee test. I swear they treat my pee like a nuclear device, box it up in all kinds of packaging with duplicate samples and sign for it with reciepts and then hand it to a guy with his hand handcuffed to a briefcase to be sent all the way across the country (why?) for testing way out of the regional area. Then they let you know weeks later that you "passed" (um, thanks, I would have just assumed "no news is good news", but yeah...)
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