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It is simply too easy yo sit on the sidelines and moan when the operation turns to sh1t. For most of the day the cloudbase would have precluded arrivals using VOR/DME on 23L. Several arrivals on 23R must have been very close to minima on the CAT1 ILS approach. With a steady 7-10kt sw wind changing to 05 with a contaminated runway was not an option either.
Snow clearing during snow fall is truly a thankless task, the black top created behind the snow brushes is already white in the 7-8 minutes it takes to make one run along the runway.
Most of the snow fleet after after working on 23R goes on to taxiway work, they don't clear off to base for a brew.
This was a very difficult weather situation with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures combined and a thunderstorm for good measure. Three consecutive departures experienced lightning strikes with one diverting back in.
As to the KLM, I doubt they will be using Man as an alternate for a while and I am sure MA will be investigating the issues surrounding that flight and the VIR74 whose pax and crew must have been pretty pissed off. Overall though not a bad effort in a situation which some of you do not grasp the difficulty.
Best,
Hawks.