Today might be the first official day of winter but for weeks now, severe weather has been producing dangerous conditions and affected air travelers from coast to coast. Thousands of passengers have been stranded as heavy snowfall has pounded large swaths of the West and Northeast. Right before Thanksgiving, the Denver metro area was hit with as much as 2 feet of snow, forcing hundreds of cancellations and thousands of delays which rippled systemwide across the #united network. Similar scenes have unfolded recently at #mspairport, #fly2ohare, #BostonLogan, all 3 New York area airports and those of other cities. Immediately after the November Holiday, more than 50 million Americans in 26 states were under some sort of winter weather alert. A little more than one week ago, nearly 65% of the nation experienced below freezing temperatures. In all likelihood, we can expect the next several months to be just like (or worse than) the preceding one. So, let’s take a look at what to expect when taking to the skies this time of year, how airlines and airports deal with snow and ice and how best to navigate the inevitable delays and cancellations.
If you’re lucky enough to be on an aircraft that will actually fly during snowy weather you have no doubt noticed something important taking place prior to taxi and takeoff and that’s called de-icing. “Snow, ice and frost change the shape of the wing and tail and their ability to generate lift (the force that allows an airplane to fly) and increases weight and drag (the forces an airplane must overcome in order to fly),” according to William Herp, a pilot and the chief executive officer of the regional air charter online marketplace called Linear Airline Taxi. I couldn't have said it better myself. Loss of lift can potentially cause an aerodynamic stall that can lead to a temporary or catastrophic loss of control. That’s something no airline, its crew or passengers wants to experience and why de-icing is so important to ensure seasonal safety in the sky.
Aircraft de-icing procedures vary from airport to airport. Smaller airports will de-ice their aircraft at the gate or right after the airplane pushes back onto the taxiway. Larger airports often have a de-icing pad where all aircraft will undergo the procedure. These pads are preferred because the airport authority is then able to collect the used fluid for proper disposal or recycling. The fluids used are typically complex concentrations based on propylene or ethylene glycol which is similar to automotive antifreeze. Aircraft de-icing is either a 1 or 2 step process, depending upon the weather. Step 1 involves spraying the aircraft with very hot, high-pressure fluid which removes any accumulated snow, ice or frost adhering to the wings or tail. These fluids are often tinted, making them easier for pilots and ground crews to identify. The fluid typically used to remove existing accumulation is called “Type-1” and is often tinted pink or orange. Type-1 fluid is easy to spot as it’s hot and produces copious amounts of steam when sprayed. If the snow is no longer falling, the procedure is complete after de-icing. The flight crew is then able to taxi to the runway and take off safely.
If, however, the snowfall continues and precipitation is adhering to the airframe, the ground crew will next apply a coat of “Type-4” fluid which is very thick, slimy and often tinted green. This fluid will act as a sealer, protecting the aircraft surfaces from further contamination. It maintains its gel-like consistency until the aircraft takeoff speed reaches about 110 mph at which point the fluid and any accumulated snow or frost will simply shear off the airplane, including the all- important wings and tail.
While these procedures are great for aircraft safety prior to takeoff, what happens when an airplane encounters any frozen precipitation on its descent? Rest easy since most jet aircraft have been designed so that hot air from their engines is routed through piping in the wings, tail and engine openings to heat these surfaces and prevent them from icing.
It takes a lot of snow falling in a very short time frame to completely close an airport. The top priority in winter is keeping snow off the runways so planes can take off and land safely. Ground crews also need to be sure that ice doesn’t form on the runway itself. State highway departments normally use steel-tipped snowplow blades which can cause potholes but airports are forced to use more expensive polyurethane blades that are much gentler on the runway surface. State highway departments also routinely use salt-based chemicals to keep ice from forming on the roadway surfaces but salt promotes rust and airlines are obviously adverse to having their multi-million dollar investments subject to rust. For this reason, airports need specialized and much more expensive chemical formulas that do not adversely affect metal airframes.
Despite our best efforts, Mother Nature is often relentless. Where winter weather is concerned, this oftentimes results in flight delays as airports are forced to close runways periodically for snow removal which thereby reduces the number of takeoffs and landings. There’s not much advice I can give you when encountering a flight delay except to recommend you realize that everyone is in the “same boat” and recognize that the airline and the airport want nothing more than to get you safely on your way as soon as practicable.
When severe weather is on the horizon and forecasted to impact certain cities, major airlines routinely issue travel waivers. These waivers will permit you to change your flight reservations at no cost. This means you won’t be charged for any fare difference or the $200 change fees they normally assess. You can make flight changes on the airlines’ mobile apps or by calling their nationwide reservations numbers. While notices appear on airline Web sites, members of the carriers’ frequent flier programs are usually advised of the waivers via email or text message.
If your flight is cancelled, membership in an airline frequent flier program can come in handy. Carriers will take care of their members first when rebooking after a cancellation occurs, so be sure your current cell number and email address are on file with the airline. Normally, you can check and update this information if necessary in the “Manage My Account” section on their Web sites. Status can also be important, regardless of the reason for the cancellation. I recall several years ago I was booked on a United Airlines flight from Germany's #MUC_Airport to #Dulles_Airport in Washington. Prior to boarding, I was called up to the counter and told the flight would soon be cancelled for mechanical reasons. The agents had already booked me on a #Lufthansa flight leaving a few hours later. As I was walking away to find the nearest Senator Lounge, I heard the cancellation announcement and witnessed the rush of passengers clamoring towards the counter.
Finally, be sure and check the status of your flight before departing for the airport. This is a good idea regardless of the weather but is doubly important when dealing with snow and icy conditions. It makes no sense to risk your safety heading out for the airport if your flight has already been cancelled. Just remember the airline will get you to your final destination once flight operations return to normal. All that's required is patience and understanding, on your part as well as your airline.
Until next time...safe travels.
Very topical, [but not tropical], but here we have less of the ice and snow issues....just relentless rain!
This one was real interesting and informative. The weather can really impact traveling. Makes me kind of glad I do so little of it.