medical test

[jeremy]

Hello Dr. Hale, at my airline every 4 year we are due to undergo a med. test. Now I occasionally smoke pot and I would like to know if there is a way they can find this out.

Alltough I smoke only occasionally, like during holidays or when I'm off duty for a week or so.

How long before the test shouldn't I smoke pot?

I'm really worried that they might find anything that points this out and loose my job.

Thank you very much in advance!

sincerely,
Jeremy

[Cheap_Pilot]

I dont know what the Dr. Has to say..... But Its my understanding that depending upon your metabolism that it will remain in your system for up to 30 days.

[airhostess1000]

images/icons/confused.gif It also depends on the frequency of use...and the type of testing done. A typical blood or urinalysis is 30-60 days within use...a patch test could determine drug use within days while a hair folicle could determine drug use up to a year!!! It'd say since we know the restrictions of our job, it's better to pass the temptation of a good time VS position of a lifetime... images/icons/tongue.gif

[Cheap_Pilot]

Actually this thread got me curious about another test........ Does anyone know how long after drinking alcohol you will test positive if you take a U/A test??

[airhostess1000]

Cheapo, I'm not expert but I'd say it's probably more accurate than a breath test. I think its best to remember that while a person may quit drinking 8 hours before report time, if they've consumed a 5th of alcohol, 8 hours is NOT enough time for the body to metabolize such a hugh amount of booze (make sense?). images/icons/shocked.gif

[Cheap_Pilot]

I knew that much, but I meant my question more like this...... Lets say someone drank 12 beers 3 days ago.... youre not going to show anything on a breath teast..... 72 hours has passed, but I was wondering if alcohol is like weed in the sense that you 3 days later you are no longer under the influence. Yet with pot you can test positive up to 30 days after use because your body absorbs it into the fat cells.......

If you take a U/A say three days after drinking is there a chance that it would still show alcohol?

[drhale]

Jeremy-
The FAA AME exam does not test for MJ but the random drug tests do. Generally this would be picked up as far as 6wks out. Extensive drug testing information can be found at: http://www.leftseat.com/AME/health4pilots