BWI Busy & Icy

[TinEar]

BWI is very backed up this evening because of the weather. They have the runway maintenance people out with their salt trucks. They are working 154.98 as their base frequency and also with the tower and ground controllers on their freqs (119.4/121.9/120.2). There is so much traffic on the taxiways that they are using two ground controllers. One seems to be controlling most of the inbound flights on 121.9 and the second one is using what is normally their backup freq of 120.2 for outbound flights- at least from pushback until they get to the de-icing pad. There is some overlap though so that might not be their actual division. They also have a freq I've never heard before for the de-icing operations. They are calling Signature De-Icing on 130.175. Guess those that live near the airport are going to have a very noisy night as fights arrive and depart until well after their normal midnight slowdown time.

 

[ka3jjz]

Nice report, Al. I'll have to plug 130.175 into the Regency and see what develops.

There are numerous little fender benders out there tonight, and even 47,02 SHA is busy.

Not a good night to be out there....73s Mike

 

[mmartinfan]

they dont use salt on the runways at airports just an FYI. Its sand. Just a small correction. Have fun on the eastern shore

 

[n3bxv]

The Bay Bridge is being closed by "State" according to AACO police..

 

[TinEar]

I should have mentioned that I got that 130.175 freq for Signature De-Icing from Southwest Airlines Ground Ops control so I feel fairly sure it's valid - other than the fact that I plugged it in and have been listening to it.

As the temperature is dropping, the fire frequencies are filling with dispatches for traffic accidents and several multi-car accidents being reported. BGE also has their hands full with wires arcing and brought down by the winds and maybe a bit of ice. The airport is still running behind schedule although they have now gone to their nighttime controller schedule with one person running several freqs. The guy doing tower/ground/clearance delivery is a bit overwhelmed. I'm also hearing Baltimore Transit Admin cancelling some routes because of icy conditions.

 

[Dispatcher308]

In reference to the bay bridge no lanes are closed they only had them closed temp for accidents but they have not shut it down completely

 

[n3bxv]

That doesn't jive with what I'm hearing on AACO western Dispatch, they say they are covering for Southern District because the bridge is shut down and "several Southern units are stuck on the other side"

Edited to add - The traffic cam shows traffic flowing on the bridge so I don't know what these guys are talking about....


Chuck

 

[lawman349]

N3BXV-

think maybe AACo is talking about the Severn Riv. Bridge? Would make sense. I am not completely sure about AA's sector layout, but if "southern" district units are on the eastern side of the Severn Bridge, then the "western" guys might have to move south. <lol...i've confused myself>

anyway- that Severn River bridge gets shut down for x-winds...AND its icy.



Just a thought.

 

[Admin0140434]

Severn River bridge gets shut down for x-winds...AND its icy

CORRECT!!!

 

[TinEar]

Last night's mini storm was a good test of emergency procedures - at least in a limited way. We heard everything from the airport to BGE to transit systems responding to changing conditions. There was also the overtaxing of emergency medical response and hospital services along with shifting coverage by police departments as situations warranted. That emergency net that was put together by NINN27 was very useful last night. It was also a definite multiple scanner night to keep up with developments. I used one scanner just for surrounding police/fire/DPW things in AA County, another to scan all the fire dispatchers out as far as my antenna would reach and a third to search for and home in on special developments as they happened. It seemed to work. Of course, another couple of sets of ears would be good.

 

[n3bxv]

N3BXV-

think maybe AACo is talking about the Severn Riv. Bridge? Would make sense. I am not completely sure about AA's sector layout, but if "southern" district units are on the eastern side of the Severn Bridge, then the "western" guys might have to move south. <lol...i've confused myself>

anyway- that Severn River bridge gets shut down for x-winds...AND its icy.

Just a thought.

You might be right, however I'm pretty sure that at least once they said the "Bay" bridge was closed. No matter, that's what makes this hobby interesting, trying to figure out whats going on with only part of the story...

 

[doctordave]

Yep - the Bay Bridge was entirely closed for a period of time. I was at an event in Annapolis for the evening and it kept a number of participants from getting home for a while.