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Re: Epic journey of disaster
I've been quiet lately. It has it's reasons. I went to my wifes graduation ceremony in Edinburgh, and was then caught up in what the British call "severe weather". I call it "snowy weather".
Anyway, I wrote it all down here for anyone who want to know what it's like to try to travel in the UK when it snows and the temp goes below 0 celsius.
http://spitfireix.wordpress.com/2010/12 … sruptions/
Re: Epic journey of disaster
Oh well, tough shit.
Our winters are usually mild and large amounts of snowfall and long periods of sub zero tempertures are not normal. Mabye if this weather was the norm the government and local authorities would invest in the equipment and man power needed to tackle it, until then they will only invest the absolute minimum they can and cross their fingers and hope for the best.
Its been a week and my street still hasnt been gritted, its main roads and bus routes only. I cant get my van out of my street to go to work, but as I'm a gardener, theres not much I can do anyway. So no income for me, but I've just been taking the dog for walks in the snow and making the most of it. The old place sure looks pretty in the snow 
How do planes land and take off on runways in Norway when there covered in a foot of snow?
Re: Epic journey of disaster
We have equipment. We spray the runways with salt or other ice fixing liquids I assume, and also use plows. We also de-ice any flight departing the airport. In March 09 I took off in what you might call a snow blizzard, and all we did was wait for 10 minutes while the machines de-iced the airplane for snow and ice and off we went.
There are absolutely no problem keeping either roads or runways open with a bit of tools at hand. I must say I am extremely proud of Oslo Airport and their punctuality of flights considering the weather they have to work with for 6 months each year.
That was the most frustrating part. To know that there are technology at hand to deal with it, technology that has been there basially since the 50's or 60's.
But they all, like you, give the excuse concerning the government. The gov doesn't invest because it's cheaper not to. I think it's hilarious. The tip of Scotland are well beyond the southern tip of Norway, and you still don't invest in anything to handle anything under freezing point. I was up at Loch Ness on Saturday, and I counted only ONE car on winter tires. The weather was crisp, and cold. Just like a normal winter day in Norway. To drive around on summer tires is like a tragic comedy unfolding in front of my eyes.
Re: Epic journey of disaster
I dont even think you can go into a garage here and buy winter tyres, you'd have to order them online from a specialist, I've never seen a set in my life.
I dont have winter tyres cause I dont think they would be worth the money, thats the reality of the UK, why spend money on something you might not need?
Last year was a hard winter and that was very unusual, before that there was 10-15 years without anysignificant snowfall. So all the suitable equipment would be sitting unused and some folk would be moaning and whining about the wastage of money. This country is broke, people are broke - penny pinching is a way of life.
As far as I know we have that equipment at airports also, the problem was the volume of snow coming down, it just overwhelmed the equipment and man powers ability to make a difference. I dont doubt the airports were closed to save money, why have that equipment running around the clock when you can wait a day to when the weather improves and make a real difference in a more economical amount of time. I think it could come down to budgets, they have a budget of what to spend over the winter on clearing the runways and they could blow that budget trying to keep the runways clear round the clock during one week of very poor weather.
I've never seen snow so persistant and so deep in my life as its been this week, its definently been freakish weather. Makes me wish I was a boy again, its the kind of snowfall I used to wish for. Snow is pretty much a novelty rather than a regular occurance, looks like that might be changing though.
And the north of Scotland is sparcely populated but I dont doubt the natives are equiped and prepared for harsh weather as its more the norm up there.
Re: Epic journey of disaster
We have equipment. We spray the runways with salt or other ice fixing liquids I assume, and also use plows. We also de-ice any flight departing the airport. In March 09 I took off in what you might call a snow blizzard, and all we did was wait for 10 minutes while the machines de-iced the airplane for snow and ice and off we went.
There are absolutely no problem keeping either roads or runways open with a bit of tools at hand. I must say I am extremely proud of Oslo Airport and their punctuality of flights considering the weather they have to work with for 6 months each year.
That was the most frustrating part. To know that there are technology at hand to deal with it, technology that has been there basially since the 50's or 60's.
But they all, like you, give the excuse concerning the government. The gov doesn't invest because it's cheaper not to. I think it's hilarious. The tip of Scotland are well beyond the southern tip of Norway, and you still don't invest in anything to handle anything under freezing point. I was up at Loch Ness on Saturday, and I counted only ONE car on winter tires. The weather was crisp, and cold. Just like a normal winter day in Norway. To drive around on summer tires is like a tragic comedy unfolding in front of my eyes.
Well done cunt, you got warm boots. Well done your nation of pussies is a true shining light
- mickronson
- Rep: 118
Re: Epic journey of disaster
Well done cunt, you got warm boots. Well done your nation of pussies is a true shining light
Re: Epic journey of disaster
DCK wrote:We have equipment. We spray the runways with salt or other ice fixing liquids I assume, and also use plows. We also de-ice any flight departing the airport. In March 09 I took off in what you might call a snow blizzard, and all we did was wait for 10 minutes while the machines de-iced the airplane for snow and ice and off we went.
There are absolutely no problem keeping either roads or runways open with a bit of tools at hand. I must say I am extremely proud of Oslo Airport and their punctuality of flights considering the weather they have to work with for 6 months each year.
That was the most frustrating part. To know that there are technology at hand to deal with it, technology that has been there basially since the 50's or 60's.
But they all, like you, give the excuse concerning the government. The gov doesn't invest because it's cheaper not to. I think it's hilarious. The tip of Scotland are well beyond the southern tip of Norway, and you still don't invest in anything to handle anything under freezing point. I was up at Loch Ness on Saturday, and I counted only ONE car on winter tires. The weather was crisp, and cold. Just like a normal winter day in Norway. To drive around on summer tires is like a tragic comedy unfolding in front of my eyes.
Well done cunt, you got warm boots. Well done your nation of pussies is a true shining light
Excuse me?
Re: Epic journey of disaster
2 be fair DCK has a point. the infastructure in the UK for dealing with a relatively small bit of ice & snow is insanely bad. there are hundreds of towns & cities all over the world which endure a lot heavier snow & ice than even the most extreme cases like what we're experiencing at the minute yet life in those other places has adapted. here everything grinds to a standstill & places which do have heavy snowfall are completely correct to laugh at the idiocy & immature reactions people in the UK have to the weather.
obv the UK with it's vastly differing seasonal climate can't be run like norway or chicago etc but the measures in place are laughably out of date & insufficient to such an extent that the only excuse is that the idiots are running the show.
Re: Epic journey of disaster
I dont even think you can go into a garage here and buy winter tyres, you'd have to order them online from a specialist, I've never seen a set in my life.
I dont have winter tyres cause I dont think they would be worth the money, thats the reality of the UK, why spend money on something you might not need?
Last year was a hard winter and that was very unusual, before that there was 10-15 years without anysignificant snowfall. So all the suitable equipment would be sitting unused and some folk would be moaning and whining about the wastage of money. This country is broke, people are broke - penny pinching is a way of life.As far as I know we have that equipment at airports also, the problem was the volume of snow coming down, it just overwhelmed the equipment and man powers ability to make a difference. I dont doubt the airports were closed to save money, why have that equipment running around the clock when you can wait a day to when the weather improves and make a real difference in a more economical amount of time. I think it could come down to budgets, they have a budget of what to spend over the winter on clearing the runways and they could blow that budget trying to keep the runways clear round the clock during one week of very poor weather.
I've never seen snow so persistant and so deep in my life as its been this week, its definently been freakish weather. Makes me wish I was a boy again, its the kind of snowfall I used to wish for. Snow is pretty much a novelty rather than a regular occurance, looks like that might be changing though.
And the north of Scotland is sparcely populated but I dont doubt the natives are equiped and prepared for harsh weather as its more the norm up there.
The volume at Gatwick was immense, even for me. I can see why they had problems there. Looking out the window, it felt more like "The Day after tomorrow" than Gatwick airport in London. It was crazy. But everyone I talked to and every article I read asked the same questions; "why does it happen here, and not somewhere else?" (the major problems). It's a bit tabloidish as Schipol in Holland had major problems as well. I do believe you need to be very very very prepared for those types of conditions, and I can only imagine that Scandinavia, Northern USA and Canads actually are.
Though, I don't think Gatwick made much money closing the airport. Closing an airport is a disaster for revenue and income. If they had the necessary tools they could maybe have cancelled half the flights and kept it open. Airports nowadays makes most their money from the terminal shops, and not the flights. To not have people at the airport is big trouble.
Sorry to say though, didn't see the monster at Loch Ness. Only two ill-behaved kids throwing snow balls at people on a small ferry. One of the kids hit a guy in his chest, just inches from his face. If they had hit him "better", the outcome would potentially have been very very serious.
