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I left just after the debacle last year only to land in Chicago (which had record blizzards), which is busier than Heathrow and it was running without delays. Now O'hare is used to it, but like you say, after last year you would have thought they may have a snow machine or two ready for use??? What would happen if a foot or more of snow fell?
A foot of snow did fall at London Gatwick in December 2010.
Funny though, the runways at Heathrow were actually cleared of snow.. they cancelled the flights for some other reason - to reduce the flight schedule or something
Anyone watch Top Gear and see Richard Hammond in the NASCAR car?
On subject of snow seems like the NE has got off lightly with 1-2 inches in low lying areas.
It's pretty pathetic how a dusting of the white stuff messes things up here though.
I'll never forget my first winter here, seeing a double decker sliding sideways down a hill in North London There was an inch of snow on the road but the tyres just couldn't grip the road. If the snow continues each winter there is a killing to be made in selling different tyres over here!
I'll never forget my first winter here, seeing a double decker sliding sideways down a hill in North London There was an inch of snow on the road but the tyres just couldn't grip the road. If the snow continues each winter there is a killing to be made in selling different tyres over here!
It's really not feasible to buy snow tires for your car if you live in the majority of the UK where it might only snow severely enough to cause disruption once or twice a year (some years not even that). Snow tires generally wipe a couple of MPG's off your fuel economy and they're expensive. Definitely worth it if you live in Montpellier, Vermont but not worth it if you live in Staines.
It's really not feasible to buy snow tires for your car if you live in the majority of the UK where it might only snow severely enough to cause disruption once or twice a year (some years not even that). Snow tires generally wipe a couple of MPG's off your fuel economy and they're expensive. Definitely worth it if you live in Montpellier, Vermont but not worth it if you live in Staines.
I wasn't talking about snow tyres. They certainly wouldn't be feasible in the UK as some years you get no snow at all and true winter snow tyres have to be put on and taken off. I was thinking of four-season radials or "mud and snow" tires that work well all year in places that have weather similar to much of the UK - clear roads most of the time but occasional light snow! "Mud and snow" is a bit deceptive as they are not snow tyres, but work well in areas where you get occasional snow.
Last edited by sunshineleith; 02-07-2012 at 03:07 AM..
Reason: typo
While I'm certainly not excusing how badly the UK often deals with even the slightest amount of snow, they're pros at dealing with it in the American Midwest, where severe snowfall occurs not only once, but several times a year. Aside from the odd cold snap, Britain's winters are tame in comparison, although here in the northeast US, it's been a fairly mild winter with only 2 instances of snowfall more than 3 inches.
In the US of course they have all the eqipment to deal with the snow as it is usually most of the winter, i don't see Heathrow or the authorities forking out huge sums of money for a day or two snow having said that they surely must lose a lot of money on those days.
In the US of course they have all the eqipment to deal with the snow as it is usually most of the winter, i don't see Heathrow or the authorities forking out huge sums of money for a day or two snow having said that they surely must lose a lot of money on those days.
Emm- not in the cities where they're not used to much snow, a bit like in the UK.
I think it was last year that Charlotte Douglas (or it may have just been US airways) ran out of salt when we had more snow than usual.
I remember being in Harrogate for a conference in Dec 2008 and they knew there was fairly severe snow coming and yet in the morning the snow ploughs hadn't been out prior to the rush hour. Place was in chaos. The buses couldn't even get out of the bus station!
Emm- not in the cities where they're not used to much snow, a bit like in the UK.
I think it was last year that Charlotte Douglas (or it may have just been US airways) ran out of salt when we had more snow than usual.
I remember being in Harrogate for a conference in Dec 2008 and they knew there was fairly severe snow coming and yet in the morning the snow ploughs hadn't been out prior to the rush hour. Place was in chaos. The buses couldn't even get out of the bus station!
I know the UK isn't the best at dealing with snow, but most US cities get far more snow than anywhere in the UK. Let's not also forget that US airports *have* to be super-efficient because flying is how the majority of Americans get from A to B over long distances.
Here in Massachusetts they are pros when it comes to dealing with snow. I don't think it's because they're just better than the UK..it just snows here a lot more frequently and it's usually more than just a couple of inches.
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There was an inch of snow on the road but the tyres just couldn't grip the road. If the snow continues each winter there is a killing to be made in selling different tyres over here! 
They certainly wouldn't be feasible in the UK as some years you get no snow at all and true winter snow tyres have to be put on and taken off. I was thinking of four-season radials or "mud and snow" tires that work well all year in places that have weather similar to much of the UK - clear roads most of the time but occasional light snow! "Mud and snow" is a bit deceptive as they are not snow tyres, but work well in areas where you get occasional snow.