Random drug, alcohol checks for pilots

Pilots will now be randomly checked to ensure they are telling the truth about any past drug and alcohol convictions.

Under existing rules, pilots must sign a declaration that they have not been convicted for any drug and alcohol offences.

That will now be checked against Ministry of Justice records by a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) member and a database of offenders will be maintained.

The move comes after sentencing notes from the CAA revealed an Air New Zealand pilot did not tell his employer he had been caught drink driving three times between 1988 and 2001.

The same pilot, Warwick West was caught a fourth time in 2007 when he was stopped by a booze bus and found to have 1098 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath - more than twice the legal limit of 400.

West did not notify Air NZ or his medical examiner about the incident, but when police became aware he was a pilot they reported it to the airline. The airline suspended West.

Associate Transport Minister Nathan Guy said the changes will improve public confidence and transparency.

"I'm confident that airlines take the issue of drug and alcohol abuse seriously, and that the vast majority of pilots do an outstanding job," Mr Guy said.

Air NZ chief executive Rob Fyfe told TVNZ's Close Up programme last month that West had completed a drug and alcohol programme after the charges were revealed.

"This pilot has never been under the influence of alcohol and drugs in the workplace. The issue we've got here is some drink-driving convictions which are of a big concern for us."

He said he trusted West had overcome any problems with alcohol, and had no issues with him remaining as a pilot.

"I have flown with him six times in the last 12 months," Mr Fyfe said.
West was outed after a memo from police was released to the media under the Official Information Act. The memo said four Air NZ staff for drink-driving - a pilot, a flight attendant and two mechanics.

The flight attendant was on her way to work for an overseas flight. She was sacked, challenged the dismissal at the Employment Relations Authority but lost.

- NZ HERALD STAFF