Worried about snow tonight.........
17 December 2009, 10:14 AM
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Worried about snow tonight.........
My boy is due to fly into Gatwick at 10.30 tonight, Ryanair from Dublin.
Quite heavy snow is forecast and in my flying days (as a passenger!) Gatwick used to close at the merest whisper of more than 2 flakes.
So what's the score these days? And is a decision made to leave Dublin say and perhaps change landing to another site after plane is airborne. I can't think Mr Ryan is over generous about helping passengers if they land in the wrong place.
So up-to-date experience/comments welcome.
Thanks, David
Quite heavy snow is forecast and in my flying days (as a passenger!) Gatwick used to close at the merest whisper of more than 2 flakes.
So what's the score these days? And is a decision made to leave Dublin say and perhaps change landing to another site after plane is airborne. I can't think Mr Ryan is over generous about helping passengers if they land in the wrong place.
So up-to-date experience/comments welcome.
Thanks, David
17 December 2009, 10:38 AM
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17 December 2009, 10:52 AM
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17 December 2009, 11:09 AM
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Depends on how thick the snowstorms are, you need to at least be able to see the runway lights from 200 feet on the approach, and how good the airport's equipment is at keeping the runways and taxiways clear. Autoland might give them a bit more leeway depending on Company rules.
Les
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17 December 2009, 11:11 AM
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17 December 2009, 12:55 PM
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No problem landing on packed snow. We used to have to do that in Canada when doing our training. Slushy snow is a different story, too slippery and difficult to maintain direction in too.
Les
Les
17 December 2009, 01:55 PM
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I'm no pilot, but! Can you not still steer with the flappy bits and brake with reverse thrust? Obviously I appreciate the lack of mechanical grip...
17 December 2009, 02:58 PM
#12
David
My mum flew Ryanair and there was snow at the destination airport and she ended up in a completely different country to her destination at 21:00 with the whole airport shutting down and the Ryanair staff left for the night! This included a 90 year old lady in a wheelchair - just abandoned.
Buses laid on? Hotels alerted? Clients told where to go for hotels? Were they heck
My mum had been flying into Londonderry and ended up in Dublin. She was 79 at the time. She didn't have any euro on her to get a cup of coffee or anything, the shops were shut anyway and no mobile phone (& no change for a payphone). Eventually got hold of my brother in law and he drove from the most northerly point of Ireland to Dublin to collect her in deep snow and blizzard conditions - respect to him.
I absolutely detest Michael Leary or whatever he is called. I know the feeling is mutual as he has gone on record as saying he doesn't give a fig about the customers, it's all profit to him. I really object to giving him money and often go out of my way to avoid his services but sometimes his deals are just too good and I resign myself to be being treated like a **nt for a few hours
My mum flew Ryanair and there was snow at the destination airport and she ended up in a completely different country to her destination at 21:00 with the whole airport shutting down and the Ryanair staff left for the night! This included a 90 year old lady in a wheelchair - just abandoned.
Buses laid on? Hotels alerted? Clients told where to go for hotels? Were they heck
My mum had been flying into Londonderry and ended up in Dublin. She was 79 at the time. She didn't have any euro on her to get a cup of coffee or anything, the shops were shut anyway and no mobile phone (& no change for a payphone). Eventually got hold of my brother in law and he drove from the most northerly point of Ireland to Dublin to collect her in deep snow and blizzard conditions - respect to him.
I absolutely detest Michael Leary or whatever he is called. I know the feeling is mutual as he has gone on record as saying he doesn't give a fig about the customers, it's all profit to him. I really object to giving him money and often go out of my way to avoid his services but sometimes his deals are just too good and I resign myself to be being treated like a **nt for a few hours
17 December 2009, 03:56 PM
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17 December 2009, 04:02 PM
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I know a friend flew from Dublin to Gatwick and due to very heavy rain they were diverted to Heathrow, so it's possible the same may happen if there is snow, depends of course on the track of the snowstorm really.
I'd say to make sure before he flies he has cash on him an if he has a mobile, make sure it's charged, or he's got change for a payphone.
I'd say to make sure before he flies he has cash on him an if he has a mobile, make sure it's charged, or he's got change for a payphone.
17 December 2009, 04:04 PM
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David
My mum flew Ryanair and there was snow at the destination airport and she ended up in a completely different country to her destination at 21:00 with the whole airport shutting down and the Ryanair staff left for the night! This included a 90 year old lady in a wheelchair - just abandoned.
Buses laid on? Hotels alerted? Clients told where to go for hotels? Were they heck
My mum had been flying into Londonderry and ended up in Dublin. She was 79 at the time. She didn't have any euro on her to get a cup of coffee or anything, the shops were shut anyway and no mobile phone (& no change for a payphone). Eventually got hold of my brother in law and he drove from the most northerly point of Ireland to Dublin to collect her in deep snow and blizzard conditions - respect to him.
I absolutely detest Michael Leary or whatever he is called. I know the feeling is mutual as he has gone on record as saying he doesn't give a fig about the customers, it's all profit to him. I really object to giving him money and often go out of my way to avoid his services but sometimes his deals are just too good and I resign myself to be being treated like a **nt for a few hours
My mum flew Ryanair and there was snow at the destination airport and she ended up in a completely different country to her destination at 21:00 with the whole airport shutting down and the Ryanair staff left for the night! This included a 90 year old lady in a wheelchair - just abandoned.
Buses laid on? Hotels alerted? Clients told where to go for hotels? Were they heck
My mum had been flying into Londonderry and ended up in Dublin. She was 79 at the time. She didn't have any euro on her to get a cup of coffee or anything, the shops were shut anyway and no mobile phone (& no change for a payphone). Eventually got hold of my brother in law and he drove from the most northerly point of Ireland to Dublin to collect her in deep snow and blizzard conditions - respect to him.
I absolutely detest Michael Leary or whatever he is called. I know the feeling is mutual as he has gone on record as saying he doesn't give a fig about the customers, it's all profit to him. I really object to giving him money and often go out of my way to avoid his services but sometimes his deals are just too good and I resign myself to be being treated like a **nt for a few hours
Thanks Puff, I rather wish I hadn't read that
I didn't realise that they could be so uncaring, especially where older folk are involved. An irony here is that I suggested that James, my boy. should try the ferry when he travelled out as you can get a good deal with British Rail from any station. Takes a while but kids don't mind. Only to get to Holyhead and find that high winds had meant cancelled crossings and he had to wait all night in a cold terminal building.And I know he is down to his last few Euros
I'll guess we will just have to wait and see. I did phone him and told him to check before he left for Dublin airport but I expect Ryanair will charge for the call
David
17 December 2009, 06:07 PM
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As a fellow West Sussexian i apologize. I am sure the weather wont be that bad tonight, And as previously said i'm sure the weather wont be bad enough for the plain to be in a dangerous situation. At worst it would be delayed and resceduled for a later time.
17 December 2009, 07:04 PM
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Gatwick looks like it is in the flightpath of the snow .... smack in the middle of the expected disruptive area.
I sincerely hope he doesn't end up far afield ... maybe Heathrow will be clearer? It looks very localised in the SE corner during the early part of the night, then spreading further west.
I sincerely hope he doesn't end up far afield ... maybe Heathrow will be clearer? It looks very localised in the SE corner during the early part of the night, then spreading further west.
17 December 2009, 10:39 PM
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Just been out in the GT3 on freshly fallen snow!! Interesting feedback from the front end - but given the tread depth and width of the tyres pretty good grip and traction.
18 December 2009, 12:23 AM
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I left Gatwick for Edinburgh at about 9:40 and it was beginning to show very slight signs of snowing. It would have needed to go mental to be a problem 50 minutes or so later.