If you are currently applying or interviewing for a job with Alaska Airlines, you may want to know if they require new employees to take a drug test. This is a question that many applicants have when applying for a job with a company they have never worked for before.
Does Alaska Airlines drug test employees?
Yes, Alaska Airlines requires employees take and pass a pre-employment drug test. Drug testing is a common practice in the aviation industry.
This article will cover the specifics around the drug test rules and procedures for Alaska Airlines.
Background Information
Like most airlines, Alaska Airline’s top priority is the safety of employees and passengers. Safety is something they take seriously and they take any and all steps necessary to make sure everyone on their flights is safe. Making sure that their employees are able to safely perform their job duties and are not under the influence of drugs is one of the steps they take to accomplish this.
The entire airline industry has a zero-tolerance policy on the use of drugs. In order to be hired by Alaska Airlines a drug test is part of the pre-employment process.
Which Jobs at Alaska Airlines Require a Drug Test?
The FAA has regulations concerning which jobs in the aviation field require a drug test. In addition to these regulations, each airlines also has it’s own policy to dictate which jobs require a drug test. As with most airlines, almost every job at Alaska Airlines will require you to take a drug test. This includes:
- Pilots/Co-Pilots
- Flight Attendants
- Ramp Agents
- Aircraft Mechanics
- Customer Service Reps and Ticketing Agents
Alaska Airlines makes sure all employees are drug-free to minimize the risk to employees and passengers of someone under the influence making a mistake that could create an unsafe environment on a flight.
What Kind of Drug Test does Alaska Airlines Use?
Alaska Airlines has all prospective employees take a urine drug test.
What Substances Does Alaska Airlines Test for?
Since working at Alaska Airlines requires you taking and passing a drug test, you might want to know what substances they are testing for.
Here is a list of the substances they are screening for:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Opiates
- PCP
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
If you test positive for any one of these substances it will count as a failed test.
When Will You Take the Drug Test?
Alaska Airlines will have you take the drug test late in the hiring process. This is usually after you have completed the the entire interview process including all interviews. After those interviews, they will offer you a job in writing. After you accept the job offer you will be asked to go take the drug test. Usually you will be expected to take the drug test very soon after you accept the job – within about 24 hours. Many companies that do drug testing do so this late in the hiring process. Sometimes applicants will assume that because they finished the interview process it’s too late to be asked to take a drug test. This is not the case.
What Happens if You Fail the Drug Test?
If you fail the drug test Alaska Airlines will rescind your job offer and you will not be hired.
What if you Refuse the Drug Test?
A refusal to take the drug test is handled the same way as a failed drug test – your job offer will be withdrawn and you will not be hired.
Additional Testing Once Hired
Once you are hired and begin working for Alaska Airlines, that doesn’t necessarily mean you are done getting tested. Alaska Airlines reserves the right to test you while working there at any time. Some of the situations that might lead to you having to take another drug test include being picked for a random drug test or being suspected of being under the influence by a colleague or manager. If you’re asked to take a drug test while employed by Alaska Airlines, you will have to follow their guidelines and take the test immediately.
Failing a random drug test when working for Alaska Airlines will result in your employment being terminated immediately.
How to Pass the Drug Test
If you are currently going through the Alaska Airlines hiring process for a new job, you should stop using any drugs immediately. These tests exist for the safety of crew and passengers and you should not be trying to “cheat” the system.
Some of the shortcuts and methods people try to use to get around the drug test are either illegal, ineffective, or both. If you think that you might not not pass a drug test due to recent drug usage, the best advice is to wait on applying with any airline until you are drug free and can pass naturally.
Note: This does not apply to medications that you have a current prescription for. You can continue to take any drugs that are prescribed by your doctor.
Legal Marijuana Use
There are many states that now allow for their residents to legally use marijuana. A common question people have is if they are allowed to use marijuana and work for Alaska Airlines if it happens to be legal in their state.
State laws regarding marijuana usage do not apply to pre-employment tests. Also, FAA rules apply regardless of what your local laws are. Marijuana being legal and being allowed to use it while working for an airline are two very different situations. You will not be hired by Alaska Airlines if you test positive for marijuana regardless of the legal standing in your state.
Conclusion
Alaska Airlines takes the safety of employees and passengers seriously. Mandating drug tests is one method they use to make sure all team members can perform their job duties safely and prevent any issues that lead to an unsafe situation.
