The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a $304,272 civil penalty against Southwest Airlines for alleged failures in drug and alcohol testing protocols.
According to the FAA, the carrier did not perform required follow-up testing for 11 employees in safety-sensitive roles, including pilots, flight attendants, and aircraft mechanics. These workers had previously tested positive for prohibited substances such as alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, or amphetamines.
FAA regulations under 14 CFR Part 120 mandate drug and alcohol testing for aviation personnel in safety-sensitive positions to ensure public safety. Follow-up tests are required after positive results, typically including a minimum of six unannounced tests in the first 12 months after an employee returns to duty, with possible extensions up to 60 months as determined by a Substance Abuse Professional.
Employers must maintain compliant testing programs, covering pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up scenarios. The agency enforces these rules through the Drug Abatement Division, overseeing industry-wide compliance with 49 CFR Part 40 and related DOT procedures.