Originally Posted by
punkalouver
I have to admit, I thought they were turning into the gate when this happened, not on a taxiway. It still could have been smooth ice under the snow as the aircraft does appear to slide sideways at the end. Taxi speed does appear to be an issue.
I would not agree on taxi speed. Runways are usually predictable in frozen precipitation events. Taxiways and ramps are all over the place and can vary wildly at different points on a airport. I once watched a SWA 737 come into the ramp in Kansas City at a good clip. Taxiways were pretty good. Ramp was horrible. When he realized he had no braking he yanked both engines into reverse. Sadly one did not spool up right away and he did a beautiful almost 360 degree pirouette. Even the Russian judges gave him a 9! Speaking of Russians they once cleared ramps with a jet engine on a truck. The snow then refroze as pure ice. 3 knot taxi speed with fingers on the reversers at all times and they were needed.
Personally I use 5 knots on snow covered taxiways and creep into ramps.