jcwr56 wrote:Concern is staff across the board and making sure folks aren’t out more than necessary.
Fueling is another, ORD has more than enough fuel on hand, but the delivery (Tankers, Hydrant trucks, carts) is the major concern about freezing up.
A few cancellations already by the foreign flags for Tuesday, not sure yet on the domestics.
YoungDon wrote:What about DTW? Weather isn't going to be much better there...
BobbyPSP wrote:Those temps are common for ORD this time of year.... it's the wind chill that gets bad
United787 wrote:But would that have a noticeable affect on operations?
United787 wrote:So I am flying back home tomorrow to ORD and everyone is anticipating delays because of the extreme cold. (High of 6 and Low of -21). I can understand the horrible conditions are tough for the ramp workers and might slow turn around time some. But would that have a noticeable affect on operations? What other elements are affected. What I can expect for delays and cancellations tomorrow?
Note: not talking about the snow, that finished today.
OneX123 wrote:It is my understanding that airplanes perform better in colder weather
N415XJ wrote:Reminds me of the polar vortex of early 2014, during which I had the misfortune of passing through ORD. All flights except for a select few operated by larger aircraft were cancelled, meaning I was stuck in Chicago for 2 nights. Airline employees were telling me that fuel freezing was one of the reasons why flights were being cancelled, and IIRC the temperatures then were about the same as what's forecast in a few days.
Also,OneX123 wrote:It is my understanding that airplanes perform better in colder weather
This is technically true- colder air means better engine performance, more lift, etc due to how much denser the air is. However, cold air often comes coupled with low visibility, high winds, heavy precipitation, and bad taxiway/runway conditions. I'm not sure if there's a lot more snow forecast or if the rest of the week is just going to be cold, but I'd expect pretty bad operational delays.
OneX123 wrote:Do you read the fourm before posting? I literally posted the same topic about 10 minutes before you. Titled 'Will there be Disruptions due to ORD Temperature'...
BobbyPSP wrote:Those temps are common for ORD this time of year.... it's the wind chill that gets bad
Boof02671 wrote:Yes it effects operations as it limits the time the ramp personnel is allowed outside in extreme cold.
My first airline job was the oringinal Midway Airlines at LGA. They sent us to MDW in February for ramp training, it was brutally cold and extreme wind, they would only allow people outside for 10-15 minutes and had extra heaters in the break rooms and free hot beverages.
BBDFlyer wrote:Go put your smartphone in the freezer for 10 minutes and pull it out and see how it works. Now imagine that you left it in the freezer overnight and pull it out and imagine how it would work. That's what happens to many of the electronic and mechanical components of the airplane and also ground equipment.
747Whale wrote:[/quote]The sky isn't falling, and the world won't come to an end with slightly lower temperatures. Regarding APU's freezing solid...these APU's are cold soaked well below expected temperatures at ORD in the next few days; cold soaked this way with every landing. And yet they're started upon landing.
heathrow wrote:I wouldn't think there would be any major impact if everyone knows what they're doing.
United787 wrote:So I am flying back home tomorrow to ORD and everyone is anticipating delays because of the extreme cold. (High of 6 and Low of -21). I can understand the horrible conditions are tough for the ramp workers and might slow turn around time some. But would that have a noticeable affect on operations? What other elements are affected. What I can expect for delays and cancellations tomorrow?
Note: not talking about the snow, that finished today.
jfklganyc wrote:-40C is a standard limitation on aircraft
However, as others pointed out, the human limitation is much more of an issue
747Whale wrote:BBDFlyer wrote:Go put your smartphone in the freezer for 10 minutes and pull it out and see how it works. Now imagine that you left it in the freezer overnight and pull it out and imagine how it would work. That's what happens to many of the electronic and mechanical components of the airplane and also ground equipment.
It really isn't.
An aircraft is not a smart phone.
The sky isn't falling, and the world won't come to an end with slightly lower temperatures. Regarding APU's freezing solid...these APU's are cold soaked well below expected temperatures at ORD in the next few days; cold soaked this way with every landing. And yet they're started upon landing.
Ground power can be preheated. Huffers are available. Dipstick heating elements, too, and equipment will be run and warmed up before use. Antifreeze can be applied where needed. Deice equipment is available. These temperatures aren't unusual at places like Siberia and Fairbanks, Alaska, or much of Canada, and yet operations continue. Every day.
N415XJ wrote:Reminds me of the polar vortex of early 2014, during which I had the misfortune of passing through ORD. All flights except for a select few operated by larger aircraft were cancelled, meaning I was stuck in Chicago for 2 nights. Airline employees were telling me that fuel freezing was one of the reasons why flights were being cancelled, and IIRC the temperatures then were about the same as what's forecast in a few days.
Also,OneX123 wrote:It is my understanding that airplanes perform better in colder weather
This is technically true- colder air means better engine performance, more lift, etc due to how much denser the air is. However, cold air often comes coupled with low visibility, high winds, heavy precipitation, and bad taxiway/runway conditions. I'm not sure if there's a lot more snow forecast or if the rest of the week is just going to be cold, but I'd expect pretty bad operational delays.
Personal anecdote about aircraft performance in cold weather. On the day of my checkride it was a completely clear, beautiful day, and the temperature was about -5F IIRC. No matter how hard I tried I couldn't get my 172 to stall. Thankfully, the examiner was a great guy who didn't dock me points for it!
747Whale wrote:BBDFlyer wrote:Go put your smartphone in the freezer for 10 minutes and pull it out and see how it works. Now imagine that you left it in the freezer overnight and pull it out and imagine how it would work. That's what happens to many of the electronic and mechanical components of the airplane and also ground equipment.
It really isn't.
An aircraft is not a smart phone.
The sky isn't falling, and the world won't come to an end with slightly lower temperatures. Regarding APU's freezing solid...these APU's are cold soaked well below expected temperatures at ORD in the next few days; cold soaked this way with every landing. And yet they're started upon landing.
Ground power can be preheated. Huffers are available. Dipstick heating elements, too, and equipment will be run and warmed up before use. Antifreeze can be applied where needed. Deice equipment is available. These temperatures aren't unusual at places like Siberia and Fairbanks, Alaska, or much of Canada, and yet operations continue. Every day.