If you are currently interested in landing a job with Delta Airlines, one thing you may want to know is if they drug test prospective new employees. This is a very common question when people are applying for a new job with a company they’ve never worked for before.
Does Delta Airlines drug test employees?
Yes, Delta Airlines requires employees pass a drug test. This is a common practice for most jobs in the aviation industry due to safety concerns.
This article will go over the details surrounding the drug test policies and procedures for Delta Airlines.
Background Information
Delta Airlines is like most airlines when it comes to the safety of it’s passengers and crew members. They take safety very seriously and any steps necessary to ensure that all of their flights are as safe as possible. This includes making sure that their employees are able to perform their job duties safely and not under the influence of any drugs or alcohol.
The aviation industry has a very tough policy on the use of drugs for obvious reasons. In order to be employed by Delta Airlines you will be required to pass a drug test before you start work.
Which Jobs at Delta Airlines Require a Drug Test?
FAA regulations as well as company policy decide which jobs at Delta Airlines require you to pass a drug test. Being in the aviation industry, almost every job you could apply for will require a drug test. This includes:
- Pilots/Co-Pilots
- Flight Attendants
- Ramp Agents
- Aircraft Mechanics
- Customer Service Reps and Ticketing Agents
Delta Airlines does this to minimize risk to crew and passengers by making sure that all employees can safely perform their job duties.
What Kind of Drug Test does Delta Airlines Use?
Delta Airlines administers a urine drug test to all prospective employees.
What Substances Does Delta Airlines Test for?
Since working at Delta 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 the test will be checkign for:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Opiates
- PCP
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
Testing positive for any of the above substances will result in you failing the drug test.
When Will You Take the Drug Test?
The drug test is one of the last items to complete in the hiring process. Usually, you will complete the entire interview process which includes both telephone/virtual and in-person interviews before they offer you a job. Once you accept the job offer you will be sent to take the drug test. Typically, the test is taken very soon after you accept the job. Expect to be asked to take it within 24 hours. It is normal to have applicants take the drug test this late in the hiring process. Do not assume that because they didn’t bring it up sooner in the process that they won’t later on.
What Happens if You Fail the Drug Test?
A failed drug test will result in Delta Airlines rescinding your job offer and you will not be hired.
What if you Refuse the Drug Test?
If you refuse to take or do not show up to take the drug test Delta Airlines will handle this the same way as a failed drug test. They will rescind your job offer and you will not be hired.
Additional Testing Once Hired
You will be subject to drug tests in the future once hired by Delta Airlines. Examples of times you might have to take another drug test include random checks and being suspected of being under the influence by someone at the airline. If you’re asked to take a drug test while employed by Delta, you will have to follow their guidelines and take the test immediately.
If you fail a random drug test while employed by Delta Airlines you can expect that your employment will be terminated immediately.
How to Pass the Drug Test
If you are currently you’re working towards getting hired by Delta Airlines (or any U.S. based airline) the best course of action is to stop using any drugs immediately. Airlines take these tests seriously and do so for the safety of everyone involved.
There are shortcuts and cheats the some people will push for these tests. These are often illegal and go against airline and FAA policy. They also usually don’t work. If you expect that you would not pass a drug test the best thing you can do is hold off on applying with the airlines until you are in a position to pass the tests without worrying about it.
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
Since the use of marijuana is now legal in many states, many people wonder if you can test positive for marijuana and still work for Delta Airlines. These state laws do not apply to work related drug tests. Additionally, there are additional federal testing requirements for many positions in the aviation industry. Marijuana being legal in your state is very different from you being able to test positive for it and still work in this industry. While marijuana might be legal where you live you still won’t be hired by Delta Airlines if it’s in your system when you take the pre-employment drug test.
Conclusion
Like most airlines, Delta Airlines takes the safety of it’s passengers and crew very seriously. One method they use to ensure all team members can perform their job duties safely is to require passing a drug test before you are hired for a job with them.
