Testing drivers' hair for drugs
 

They're pushing to test drivers' hair instead of urine. Has anyone gone through this type of testing for a job?

nope, not me, not anyone i have heard from

My wife had to at her financial institution when she was hired in 2004. It was no biggie, she asked why hair, drugs are much harder to mask from hair folicals she was told then. She was also told that drug usage evidence stays in the hair much longer than blood or urine. Again, that info is 12 years old so........

Not me either, but then again I really couldn't care less! If it helps weed out unqualified people I'm all for it.

If you are not into bad drugs you should have nothing to worry about! I have no problem with it....There is no place in the cab for a drug that will alter the reflexes ....To many distracted stupid drivers out there and one needs to be into there"A" game at all times to compensate for them.
Been driving 30+ yrs. Seen my share of stupid drivers both in a big truck and on 4 wheels.
" Give Them Right To Be Stupid. If You Don't They Will Take It when You Least Expect IT"

Yeah, I went for a job with Super Service and agreed to the hair test until I blew fits when they, literally, went BEHIND MY BACK to take the hair! Without me being able to SEE that they're actually taking MY hair, ANY sample is an illegal sample. I would never be able to honestly say it was actually MY hair. The truth is, by the donor not being able to see it is their hair, anyone failing the drug test has a legal issue with the company AND the facility for denying you chain of custody for the sample.

I had a hair follicle test many years ago. I did not like the idea of possibly having a big gap in my hair, but that was not an issue. They did take it from the back, but it was not noticeable. More carriers are looking at using hair for testing rather than just urine. Some drugs will stay in hair for a number of months and testing can detect those drugs the driver may have used. Drugs may disappear from urine after a short time. I don't recall the time frame. I don't like the idea of anyone who is behind the wheel using drugs. It amazes me how many will use drugs prior to having a drug test. I know a trainer with a major carrier who told me that they consistently have a 20% failure rate with new recruits. Yes, apparently some people are really that stupid.

Since I am bald my hair follicle test was a little more, uh, intrusive. The collector shaved my armpit hair, but only on one side. It was weird walking around with one shaved armpit and one natural. Took about a month to grow back completely.
BTW, the results took longer to come back than the regular UA results.

No, I have never heard of this before, not me, not anyone i have heard from

What is really needed, is drug testing every politician and public employee.

That is where the problem is.

copy cat..!!!!!!!!

;).......................

Drug test them all
 

Yes and we need to include a few more professional too. Drug test them all
Judges, Attorneys, Doctors, Police, DOT Officers, ATF Officers, etc…

Hell lets test anybody that could hurt the public if they are on drugs and treat them the same as a commercial driver.
They would lose their license and never work in their profession again. Think of the jobs this would create. On drugs - no job.
What a novel idea only sober people in positions of power!

Last how much hair do they take for a drug test?
Do they pluck :eek1: the hair or shave it?
If they shave it could they drug test my beard? :roll3:
Just want to keep all my hair.

Anyone who has an issue with random drug testing in this industry simply doesn't belong in it in the first place.

such a simple but accurate statement.

I'd even give them a stool sample.

Fozzy I agree anybody who wants to drive professional period should be drug tested. Even if its not as a CDL Licensed driver.

If Uber had just drug tested its drivers I would still be driving my Limo and making $1,200 to $2,400 per week. On holiday weekends even a little better. :D

But Uber, LYFT etc Never Drug test (still don't) :mad:
Its a whole lot of BS and because the standard was lowered so was my income by 60% to 70% in the end. Lost the company and the Limo, hit bottom.

As a professional driver I have been finger printed and drug tested for the last eight years. Its a test I know how to pass - been sober for close to 30 years. So its not a problem.

My idea of drinking and driving is a nice rich cup of coffee, I try to skip the donuts (don't want the sugar crash).

I am now over 50 and could not find any work. I have always thought of driving a truck so I jumped into school. I should be on the road in December, I am working my ass off and demanding more time (behind the wheel) from the school because its simple I know how to drive a Limo Los Angeles traffic and driving a truck is going to be more demanding. I have seen more fools on the road at all hours driving like they own the roads and are the only one on it. I have flagged down Police cars and reported drunk drivers. Why because the best place for impaired drivers is in the drunk tank were they can only hurt themselves. The best time to put them there is before they hurt innocent bystanders.

I also wish the FMCSA had not backed down on the minimum 30 hours behind the wheel training. I should not have to fight to get hours behind the wheel at school but I do. My goal is to learn as much as possible before I start driving. But this is a little off topic.

Happy Thanksgiving it just around the conner.

Times change, industries change.. the trucking industry has changed so much that I rarely if ever advise ANYONE get into it.. but if they do, they better know what they are in for. The industry has lots of problems and in my opinion, these problems are worsened by the general happy ignorance of the drivers themselves. Most of the regulations that came down the pipe, are due to drivers refusal to follow regulations that govern and protect them.. and the myths that have been in the industry forever. Drivers are not saving the world, they are generally unwelcome anywhere due to their own bad behaviors and the camp followers who cater to them. Driving is rough, driving has always kind of been rough.. but the generic world of trucking today is pretty dismal.

If ANYONE has to "use shady methods":confused: to pass a drug test, they're completely WORTHLESS AND USELESS to the Trucking Society for they WILL CAUSE IRREPAIRABLE HARM HIGH PROBABILITY/PERCENTAGE) and of course not usually to theirselves.:mad:

The UPSIDE :roll3: is when these Megalomaniacs CAUSE a single vehicle accident/crash/wreck and it's proven (autopsy when possible) these LOSERS took themselves OUT (committed Suicide voluntarily or not) IT'S A PLUS therein (hopefully) saving a needless death of a Innocent.

SADLY there ARE too many LOSER TRUCKERS that probably believe they're superior to SOBER RESPONSIBLE DRIVERS and their PROOF is evidenced daily especially in CONSTRUCTION ZONES, TRUCK STOPS, MOUNTAINS and FLAT PLAINS.

If "someone" doesn't like what I said :eek1:, GOOD!!
Shape UP or SHOVE OFF!!