Snowy Good Times in the Arctic Circle

[NightTrain]

I've been working up here at Red Dog Mine the last week or so, re-terminating old fiber optic cables that they've had issues with with some process controls in the mine. I was under a time crunch, the mine charters two Alaska Airlines 737 aircraft from Anchorage to Red Dog every week and my project was being difficult.

I finally got everything working right, those 20 year old fibers were brittle and some of the equipment was being ornery with coming back online after I reconnected all the circuits... took a few 12 & 14 hour days to get it done in time to catch yesterday's flight.

So I rushed and got everything done, got things packed up again to ship back to Anchorage and waited on our flight to arrive. The 737 that was slated to come up here ended up breaking down, so they sent another one up.

It was tight because there was a nasty blizzard rolling in, and there was a limited amount of time to get in and get back out before it hit.

It arrived at 6:30 last night, offloaded and we all boarded. And we sat. And sat. Finally the captain told us that Red Dog's de-icer machine wasn't working and they were working on it. Finally at 10 PM they put us all back on the bus and brought us back to the mine.

They can't shut down the plane because there's no equipment here to start it, so it sat on the runway all night running on the APU. There's Jet-A fuel down at the port, but because of the blizzard it's going to be a project getting some up here for the plane, it'll probably involve the tanker following one of the big loaders clearing the road.

So the Blizzard is raging outside and is picking up steam, Alaska Airlines has a jet sitting on the runway that can't be shut off and is low on fuel, the heavy equipment guys and electricians are all getting barked at because the de-icer doesn't work, and I'm still on the clock surfing the internet.

Tis the season to be grateful. I'm thankful that I installed the internet up here a couple years ago, I've got several packs of smokes in my laptop bag and unlimited coffee.

I'm on the clock until I walk in my door at home. This could prove to be a lucrative Christmas indeed! :coffee:

[Kathianne]

I've been working up here at Red Dog Mine the last week or so, re-terminating old fiber optic cables that they've had issues with with some process controls in the mine. I was under a time crunch, the mine charters two Alaska Airlines 737 aircraft from Anchorage to Red Dog every week and my project was being difficult.

I finally got everything working right, those 20 year old fibers were brittle and some of the equipment was being ornery with coming back online after I reconnected all the circuits... took a few 12 & 14 hour days to get it done in time to catch yesterday's flight.

So I rushed and got everything done, got things packed up again to ship back to Anchorage and waited on our flight to arrive. The 737 that was slated to come up here ended up breaking down, so they sent another one up.

It was tight because there was a nasty blizzard rolling in, and there was a limited amount of time to get in and get back out before it hit.

It arrived at 6:30 last night, offloaded and we all boarded. And we sat. And sat. Finally the captain told us that Red Dog's de-icer machine wasn't working and they were working on it. Finally at 10 PM they put us all back on the bus and brought us back to the mine.

They can't shut down the plane because there's no equipment here to start it, so it sat on the runway all night running on the APU. There's Jet-A fuel down at the port, but because of the blizzard it's going to be a project getting some up here for the plane, it'll probably involve the tanker following one of the big loaders clearing the road.

So the Blizzard is raging outside and is picking up steam, Alaska Airlines has a jet sitting on the runway that can't be shut off and is low on fuel, the heavy equipment guys and electricians are all getting barked at because the de-icer doesn't work, and I'm still on the clock surfing the internet.

Tis the season to be grateful. I'm thankful that I installed the internet up here a couple years ago, I've got several packs of smokes in my laptop bag and unlimited coffee.

I'm on the clock until I walk in my door at home. This could prove to be a lucrative Christmas indeed! :coffee:

Well I'm glad you are going to make the $$$! Who says Christmas has to be on the 25? With the money it can be even better later. ;)

Merry Christmas to you and all the guys stuck in the blizzard!

[SassyLady]

Now I don't feel so bad about my problems with my trip on Alaska!!!

Hope you make it home for Christmas!!

[Abbey Marie]

Snowed in with a blizzard in the Arctic Circle. Sounds kind of dreamy to me (as long as you can keep warm!)

[NightTrain]

Thanks!

I'm not stressed out about it... this kind of thing happens in Alaska fairly regularly out in the boonies. If it stressed me out, I'd have keeled over from a heart attack years ago. Just gotta roll with the punches!

So they finally fixed the de-icer, but now they have to wait for Kotzebue airport to re-open, it's getting hammered by the blizzard as well, it's only 80 miles south of here.

I'm not even sure we could take off in this storm, it's shaping up to be a real beauty! Maybe I'll take my phone outside and get some video footage of it, just for kicks.

[Kathianne]

Thanks!

I'm not stressed out about it... this kind of thing happens in Alaska fairly regularly out in the boonies. If it stressed me out, I'd have keeled over from a heart attack years ago. Just gotta roll with the punches!

So they finally fixed the de-icer, but now they have to wait for Kotzebue airport to re-open, it's getting hammered by the blizzard as well, it's only 80 miles south of here.

I'm not even sure we could take off in this storm, it's shaping up to be a real beauty! Maybe I'll take my phone outside and get some video footage of it, just for kicks.

Oh goody! More AK pics! :dance: Sounds like you will get home for Christmas, no?

[NightTrain]

Oh goody! More AK pics! :dance: Sounds like you will get home for Christmas, no?

Oh yeah, I have a bunch more pics that I could add to that thread... maybe I'll do that when I get home.

Hard to say if they're going to go for it. It's almost 2 PM now and it's getting worse. I'm almost at the overtime mark for the day :laugh:

[NightTrain]

Day 3 of the jet sitting here on the runway. Man this is going to be expensive! The pilots and air crew are eating breakfast and they're going to go out and see about thawing out that 737 and we'll get an announcement here about 9 AM.

Snow and wind have subsided, so if that deicer works as advertised by the guys in Heavy Equipment, we should be flying home today. If not, I want my luggage back off that plane - otherwise I'm going to go buy a Red Dog shirt, Red Dog sweat pants, Red Dog socks, and Red Dog underwear!

Well, I doubt there's Red Dog undies, but everything else I know they've got in that commissary upstairs, a new set of clothing should set me back about $150.

[NightTrain]

Looks like we're going to go for it... there's a steady 30 MPH wind drifting over the runway and the heavy equipment guys are making constant passes to keep it cleared.

Time to kick the tires and light the fires!

Hope that stewardess has my Crown and Coke ready.

[Kathianne]

Good trip! <a href=http://www.thesmilies.com><img src=http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/christmas/xmasnorthpole.gif border=0></a>

[NightTrain]

Departure was denied!

Sat on the plane and watched the snow blow... captain said the front had moved right back over us and is parked. So we're moved back in.

In other news, for Christmas dinner Red Dog is serving King Crab! I do have an endless appetite for King Crab... lol

[Kathianne]

Departure was denied!

Sat on the plane and watched the snow blow... captain said the front had moved right back over us and is parked. So we're moved back in.

In other news, for Christmas dinner Red Dog is serving King Crab! I do have an endless appetite for King Crab... lol

I'm hoping for Christmas Eve. You? You'll be the gift. ;)

[SassyLady]

Better safe and snowed in!!!

Scared me for a moment there...when you said you were flying out .... had to look for your next post to see if you were home!

Whatever happens, have a safe and Merry Christmas, NT.

[NightTrain]

I'm hoping for Christmas Eve. You? You'll be the gift. ;)

Funny you should say that... that's exactly what my girlfriend said a little bit ago! lol



Scared me for a moment there...when you said you were flying out .... had to look for your next post to see if you were home!

Whatever happens, have a safe and Merry Christmas, NT.

Yeah, I had my doubts as we were sitting on the plane today, watching the wind worsen... wondering if the captain was going to push things past his capabilities but then he came on over the intercom and said things were much less than his minimums and he was calling it for the day.

I will, SL! And you and yours do the same!

[NightTrain]

Going to try it again today... the big joke is the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray. We've all become masters at boarding the jet in an efficient manner!

The winds are picking up again, about 35 knots, gusting to 45. We shall see, I don't see us taking off. But it gives us something to do, I suppose!

[SassyLady]

Going to try it again today... the big joke is the movie Groundhog Day with Bill Murray. We've all become masters at boarding the jet in an efficient manner!

The winds are picking up again, about 35 knots, gusting to 45. We shall see, I don't see us taking off. But it gives us something to do, I suppose!

Well, I hope you made it, NT. Our prayers are with you.

[NightTrain]

Made it home. Easy flight, there was no beer or water (all frozen) but the Crown was nice and chilled! :happy0203:

And now to go blow money on Christmas shopping.

[Kathianne]

Made it home. Easy flight, there was no beer or water (all frozen) but the Crown was nice and chilled! :happy0203:

And now to go blow money on Christmas shopping.

I'm so glad! Merry Christmas!

[Mr. P]

Made it home. Easy flight, there was no beer or water (all frozen) but the Crown was nice and chilled! :happy0203:

And now to go blow money on Christmas shopping.
Merry Christmas, NT ! :2up:

Merry Christmas to all of you folks!

[SassyLady]

Glad you're home safe, kiddo!