'Not risking my career': United Airlines pilot refuses to fly after passenger smokes weed on plane, fears positive drug test from second-hand marijuana

A United Airlines pilot refused to fly from San Francisco to Cancun, Mexico, after a passenger smoked weed in the front bathroom. The incident led to a four-hour delay, according to a viral Reddit post that triggered a debate on whether the pilot overreacted or whether his fear was rational. The pilot was scared that he would be positive on a drug test from second-hand exposure to marijuana. "I have 30 years left of my career at United. I'm not willing to risk getting drug tested when I get to Houston," the pilot apparently said, according to the Reddit post.

The Reddit post was from a flyer who posted from the terminal at SFO, complaining that there was no new crew and the airline gave the passengers a $15 meal voucher for the delay.

"First our flight was delayed due to technical issues, then waiting for the paperwork to get completed someone smoked weed in the front bathrooms. They got removed from the flight then sat on the plane for 40 ish min waiting for crew to figure out what to do. Crew was concerned they got exposed so we deplaned and are awaiting new crew," the post read.



"Currently sitting in the terminal at SFO, no sign of a new crew yet. Original departure 8:50 am, current estimated departure 12:30 pm. Given a $15 meal voucher and they have rolled out a snack cart at the gate," the post added.

"Virtually any detectable level of marijuana metabolite in urine is considered a failed test, regardless of reason. However, secondhand cannabis smoke does not cause positive urine tests at DOT thresholds except in the most extreme conditions – think hot-boxed room, hours of exposure, no ventilation," wrote A View From The Wing contributor Gary Leff, adding that the likelihood of testing positive from second-hand marijuana smoke in a well-ventilated aircraft is laghably low.