Airlines, clearance, delta, drug tests, incompetence, lost, luggage, mistakes, security

Delta Now Loses Urine Too

Scott writes,

Here's a unique twist on lost airline luggage:

I'm on travel for work at a nuclear site, waiting to get security clearance to start work. This involves a background check and a drug test for me, which can usually be done in about 8 to 24 hrs.

24 hrs - No word.

48 hrs - No word.

72 hrs - I'm told that Delta Airlines lost a shipment of urine samples, and mine was among them.

(Note, I'm on night shift, so I was woken up at 7am after 2 hrs of sleep and told to come back in to re-test. By the time I arrived at the plant, they had found the samples... Something's wrong with the notification timeline there...)

These are usually couriered directly from the plant to the lab - so I'm guessing that the courier had to check them since the box of samples was over 3 oz :)

Is there anything Delta can't lose? Other than our undying disrespect...

(Thanks to Scott!)
(Photo: Getty)

8:50 PM on Thu Feb 7 2008
By Chris Walters
6,641 views
21 comments

Comments

MercuryPDX at 08:53 PM on 02/07/08
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Connectedness Index: 346

In a related story: "Not to be outdone by Free Cream Cheese, Delta gives away free trial size Apple Juices aboard one lucky flight".
Dustbunny at 08:53 PM on 02/07/08
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Urine luck, we found your sample :)
bohemian at 09:04 PM on 02/07/08
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From the picture I thought someone was transporting urine in their suitcase.
Bay State Darren at 09:08 PM on 02/07/08
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Is it bodily fluids day here at consumerist?
Adam Hyland at 09:30 PM on 02/07/08
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The courier that is checking items at the airline needs to be fired. You don't pay for a courier in order to entrust something to baggage handlers.

You might as well fedex it FFS, at least then you can get insurance.
matto at 09:30 PM on 02/07/08
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Connectedness Index: 186

Love the jpeg.
chrisfromnl at 09:30 PM on 02/07/08
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@BayStateDarren:
*Shudders*
clevershark at 09:36 PM on 02/07/08
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@bohemian: or ON their suitcase...
rbb at 10:00 PM on 02/07/08
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At least it's not a test you need to study hard for...
chiieddy at 10:08 PM on 02/07/08
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Oh look, Joe. A box of apple juice! We should have a picnic!
uricmu at 10:09 PM on 02/07/08
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Umm, since when can "bio samples" and "biohazardous materials" can be shipped via regular domestic carrier?
lostsynapse at 10:40 PM on 02/07/08
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Maybe they thought it had meth or some other drug that doesn't break down in the body. Free drugs are free drugs.
CurbRunner at 02:40 AM on 02/08/08
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None of these urine samples will qualify for test purposes now because the chain of custody of the samples was broken.
Scuba Steve at 05:40 AM on 02/08/08
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@BayStateDarren: Its always bodily fluids day here. Watch your step.
Swifty at 10:24 AM on 02/08/08
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Kind of redefines the phrase 'pissed off' doesn't it?
Sidecutter at 10:50 AM on 02/08/08
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@uricmu: I'd imagine for a while. It's nothing to ship them via FedEx either, you just have to meet the packaging and marking requirements.
rbb at 12:56 PM on 02/08/08
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@uricmu: All the time as long as they are properly packaged (e.g., sample jar placed in a ziploc bag with an absorbent sheet which is placed in a styrofoam block in a box) and marked.
Youthier at 01:02 PM on 02/08/08
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Courier = fired... what was the point if he just checks it?
Framling at 01:07 PM on 02/08/08
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@Dustbunny: Urine luck?
mikelotus at 01:17 AM on 02/09/08
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do they feel secure now at the plant now that they have your urine?
littlealbatross at 06:18 PM on 02/12/08
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I had to laugh at this story. I work in one of the bigger medical labs in the country (we compete with the top two in terms of volume) and I get a *daily* report of late and missing shipments. Granted, most of the time they're found, but a quick peek at my list for today shows a shipment of samples that's 12 hours late and another that's 36 hours late. Such is life, I guess.