Snow in the UK En-route environment
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Snow in the UK En-route environment
Just wondering how the snow is affecting the UK En-route operation. We all know that airfields are shut due to it, but the roads around a certain Southern Centre are currently lethal and some are even shut by the police so has there been any operational impact? Is that NATS attributable??
Good luck and take lots of care to those on shift in the morning.
Good luck and take lots of care to those on shift in the morning.
Join Date: Feb 2006
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TC side we've cobbled together a service, but east airspace closed until 0400. All but one ATCO got in in the end, albeit some 2 hours late after battling in. Had to dump the car and jog/slide 3 miles meself, ended up half an hour late.
Be nice if Barron et al appreciate the efforts of all who make it, and those who try and fail
Be nice if Barron et al appreciate the efforts of all who make it, and those who try and fail
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I know that'd be asking too much, but it would be nice to be given some sort of personal acknowledgement instead of some generic e-mail sent to all staff.
The afternoon shift stayed on late to cover the late arrivals, some people travelling from afar persevered and pitched up 4 hours late when they couldeasily have said 'sod it'. Some people abandoned cars and walked seevral miles to complete the journey...
The Canteen at Swanwick remained open thanks to 2 members of staff which was a very nice touch - albeit probably their idea, not anyone else's - I hope the staff fill in comments cards to ensure that Aramark acknowledge this effort as well.
Overall a great team effort, got it all to do again tonight with snow starting to fall again already.
One thing that does rile me is the fact that people who did not make it in last night (and it was extreme conditions) will lose a days leave because of non attendance.
Fair enough if they phone in 24hrs before hand saying they won't even try to get in, but if they have made an effort in weather we haven't seen for years then it's a bit unfair
Lon More- it would not have helped in this instance as the motorway (and the junctions that would have had direct access) were grid locked. Mind you, considering the nature of the operation, it was a bit disappointing to see that the council had not even gritted the main street approaching Sopwith Way. Surely the main ATC infrastructure in England should have some priority?
The afternoon shift stayed on late to cover the late arrivals, some people travelling from afar persevered and pitched up 4 hours late when they couldeasily have said 'sod it'. Some people abandoned cars and walked seevral miles to complete the journey...
The Canteen at Swanwick remained open thanks to 2 members of staff which was a very nice touch - albeit probably their idea, not anyone else's - I hope the staff fill in comments cards to ensure that Aramark acknowledge this effort as well.
Overall a great team effort, got it all to do again tonight with snow starting to fall again already.
One thing that does rile me is the fact that people who did not make it in last night (and it was extreme conditions) will lose a days leave because of non attendance.
Fair enough if they phone in 24hrs before hand saying they won't even try to get in, but if they have made an effort in weather we haven't seen for years then it's a bit unfair
Lon More- it would not have helped in this instance as the motorway (and the junctions that would have had direct access) were grid locked. Mind you, considering the nature of the operation, it was a bit disappointing to see that the council had not even gritted the main street approaching Sopwith Way. Surely the main ATC infrastructure in England should have some priority?
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Sorry but this does cause me to smile.
The Aberdeen area has had constant snow and ice for 3 weeks now.I measured the snow at the front of the house and it is 14 inches deep.This is the 3rd load after 2 mini thaws.Hardly a titter on the news.
As soon as the south of Englandshire get anything like what has been happening here,the met office issue an emergency weather warning.The end is nigh and your all doomed.It's pathetic.
IT'S CALLED WINTER.Get a shovel,all weather tyres on your car,and get on with it.That's what happens everywhere else.
The Aberdeen area has had constant snow and ice for 3 weeks now.I measured the snow at the front of the house and it is 14 inches deep.This is the 3rd load after 2 mini thaws.Hardly a titter on the news.As soon as the south of Englandshire get anything like what has been happening here,the met office issue an emergency weather warning.The end is nigh and your all doomed.It's pathetic.
IT'S CALLED WINTER.Get a shovel,all weather tyres on your car,and get on with it.That's what happens everywhere else.
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TAD,
I'm from Scotland and used to the winters we get up there. The weather (for the south coast of England) was exceptional last night. Roads were impassable - possibly due in no small part to people who are unable to drive in these conditions screwing it up for those who have had practice, but alsdo due to the fact that when it snowed it dumped a (relatively) huge amount in a very short space of time.
Whether the roads should have been cleared or not and the ability (or not) of the council to deal with it is not the point. They were treacherous - roads that see much more traffic than yours as well no doubt (
) and therefore the effort that people put in to get to work was remarkable.
Yes, the news was OTT, but this is an area that does not have the same experience of winters that you do.
If you have to resort to everything being a them and us argument, don't bother commenting
I'm from Scotland and used to the winters we get up there. The weather (for the south coast of England) was exceptional last night. Roads were impassable - possibly due in no small part to people who are unable to drive in these conditions screwing it up for those who have had practice, but alsdo due to the fact that when it snowed it dumped a (relatively) huge amount in a very short space of time.
Whether the roads should have been cleared or not and the ability (or not) of the council to deal with it is not the point. They were treacherous - roads that see much more traffic than yours as well no doubt (
) and therefore the effort that people put in to get to work was remarkable.Yes, the news was OTT, but this is an area that does not have the same experience of winters that you do.
If you have to resort to everything being a them and us argument, don't bother commenting
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A few snow flakes south of the border and the world is coming to an end.......I must admit we get a wee bit fed up here in Scotland listening to news reports about how your all struggling...........The past few weeks up here we have loads of snow and temperatures touching minus 18 but we just put on a smile and get on with the job in hand 
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Imagine my delight at walking into the swanwick "restaurant" to be confronted with all of the senior management...... almost brought a tear to my eye!!
I'm assuming they were trapped as well and not there to lend a hand??
I was a little concerned at watch management encouraging people to break sratcoh and come in for a morning shift without the proper time off.......what would happen if an incident occurred due to someone being tired??
Should I brave the weather for iFACTs training is what I'm thinking
I'm assuming they were trapped as well and not there to lend a hand??
I was a little concerned at watch management encouraging people to break sratcoh and come in for a morning shift without the proper time off.......what would happen if an incident occurred due to someone being tired??
Should I brave the weather for iFACTs training is what I'm thinking
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<<Imagine my delight at walking into the swanwick "restaurant" to be confronted with all of the senior management>>
I have no doubt that what they were actually doing was arranging free meals for all staff throughout this "difficult" period........
I have no doubt that what they were actually doing was arranging free meals for all staff throughout this "difficult" period........
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A few snow flakes south of the border and the world is coming to an end.......I must admit we get a wee bit fed up here in Scotland listening to news reports about how your all struggling...........The past few weeks up here we have loads of snow and temperatures touching minus 18 but we just put on a smile and get on with the job in hand
As you say, you get it alot so are used to it (although the news tells a slightly different story). Besides us Southerners probably paid for your equipment anyway...........<running behind sofa>
Fair play to the ones that made it into Swanick. I am sure some teachers could learn a thing or two! <still hiding behind sofa>.
No doubt the pax that manage to fly will appreciate the effort.
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JB - no. Although if it causes problems, it has happened in the past where the company have put pressure on someone to move closer. Thats probably better than being sacked for poor time keeping and attendance I'd imagine.
TAD - get a life. Your area is used to this every year and therefore you are expected to cope with it (and rightfully so). This is the first proper snow I have seen down south for the 10 years I have lived here. This is also the worst snow I have seen for 25 years having spent over half my life living on the edge of the Pennines. Walking in it is fine as long as you have the right footwear and clothing which many do not have down here. I'm not going to buy snow tyres to use once every 10 years, they wouldn't last between use so would mean buying a new set every time I need to use them. I'd hazard a guess that most people down here haven't had ANY experience driving on snow like this, and now even 4x4's are struggling to get out of town up the only hill in and out.
FBW - pick out relevant ranting comments from the paragraph above.
Good on those that have managed to get in, hear the operation is still running well and providing a good service. Last night saw 6 inches dumped in the Swanwick area in about an hour which happened to be the start of the rush hour - not surprised that carnage quickly ensued!
TAD - get a life. Your area is used to this every year and therefore you are expected to cope with it (and rightfully so). This is the first proper snow I have seen down south for the 10 years I have lived here. This is also the worst snow I have seen for 25 years having spent over half my life living on the edge of the Pennines. Walking in it is fine as long as you have the right footwear and clothing which many do not have down here. I'm not going to buy snow tyres to use once every 10 years, they wouldn't last between use so would mean buying a new set every time I need to use them. I'd hazard a guess that most people down here haven't had ANY experience driving on snow like this, and now even 4x4's are struggling to get out of town up the only hill in and out.
FBW - pick out relevant ranting comments from the paragraph above.
Good on those that have managed to get in, hear the operation is still running well and providing a good service. Last night saw 6 inches dumped in the Swanwick area in about an hour which happened to be the start of the rush hour - not surprised that carnage quickly ensued!
One thing that does rile me is the fact that people who did not make it in last night (and it was extreme conditions) will lose a days leave because of non attendance.
Option 2: don't bother trying. ring in from beside a roaring fire and then crack open a bottle of wine.
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Exactly, they don't help themselves do they (management), I wonder what the sickness rate will be if we get another dump of snow this winter or next??
People that tried and got in should be praised, those that tried and failed should not be docked leave.
I was on days off thankfully, and built a massive snowman with huge t*ts in honour of management.
People that tried and got in should be praised, those that tried and failed should not be docked leave.
I was on days off thankfully, and built a massive snowman with huge t*ts in honour of management.