Name: Runway teams train ahead of first snow
Uploaded: 2025-11-04T19:23:25.257Z
Duration: 3 min 54 s
Description: Ali Reid reported live from the tarmac at Philadelphia International Airport, where ground crews are actively preparing for the upcoming winter season through intensive training.

Ali Reid reported live from the tarmac at Philadelphia International Airport, where ground crews are actively preparing for the upcoming winter season through intensive training.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia International Airport crews have begun preparations for the upcoming winter season by conducting training sessions on snow removal and de-icing procedures. Operators are given refresher courses on handling snow removal equipment, with practical exercises taking place at night to simulate challenging conditions and ensure readiness.

The training includes both classroom instruction on safety procedures and hands-on practice with plows and blowers on the tarmac. As winter approaches, teams will monitor weather conditions closely and remain on standby to keep runways clear, prioritizing passenger safety and minimizing flight disruptions.

Runway teams train ahead of first snow

travel. Winter is just around the corner and while most of the Northeast hasn't seen the snowfall just yet, crews at the Philadelphia International Airport are ready, gearing up for what is the first storm. Yeah, and our Ali Reed is live this morning at PHL. Well, the lookout teams are preparing to keep runways clear, passengers safe when the snow starts to fall. Boy, I'll tell you what, if I've learned not only the snow, but when it's cold enough for de-icing, that can really slow things down. Good morning, Ali. Good morning, Bernie and Melissa. And we're not just live from Philadelphia International Airport. We're live from the tarmac here at PHL. Really exciting stuff. It was only about a week and a half ago where the pavement and grounds crew really had an opportunity to train a number of the operators here to get behind the snow removal equipment before the season even starts. And that is incredibly important. They say, you know, last time they were able to operate that equipment was a year ago for this season. So it's a good opportunity to really get a refresher for them before that season kicks off. So no snow just yet. It feels beautiful out here in Philadelphia this morning, but all good things before the winter, that cold weather really starts to drop here. Now I want to take to some video. This is really interesting. They actually do their training past midnight. So the video you're going to see is pretty dark right now. It's all part of that detailed winter preparation plan that starts long before the snow arrives. Each year, Philadelphia International Airport's operations department teams up with pavement and grounds to train staff responsible for clearing runways and taxiways. When winter weather hits, crews spend time in the classroom first reviewing safety procedures, then take that knowledge out to the airfield at night when runways aren't as busy. That's when operators get behind the wheel, practicing how to maneuver enormous plows and blowers across the tarmac, sometimes in total darkness, like you're seeing right now. That's to simulate the toughest conditions they'll face during a real storm. And that's exactly why they train after dark. So when snow starts falling, they're ready for anything. If you could kind of master seeing it at nighttime, then in the daytime it will be, you know, much easier and it's less traffic out there. We want to alleviate any chance of any mistakes or any malfunction that's happened because these pieces actually keep the airport open no matter what the weather condition is. And it's best that our operators know how to operate them at maximum capacity. These trainings happen in the weeks leading up to winter, giving every operator a chance to get comfortable before the cold even sets in. Once snow is in the forecast, operations and maintenance teams begin monitoring the weather closely, using pavement sensors to track surface temperatures and determine the perfect time to roll out equipment. By the time the snow starts falling, PHL crews are already on standby, ready to work around the clock to keep runways clear and flights moving safety. We bring you back live to Philadelphia International Airport. Guys, this is so important to know. There's probably a chance where you have gotten in a plane when there's been snow or ice. I'm sure you've seen when you've looked out the window. It is a full on operation. Maybe you have. Maybe you haven't. But these guys are fully trained. They know what they're doing. And the one thing that I loved hearing guys is that when they do these safety operations, they say, pretend as if it's your family member that's on that flight. I think that's so incredibly important. What they're doing is they know that they're looking out for anyone and everyone that is on that plane. And ultimately, guys, that plane is not taking off unless what they do on the ground is fully prepared and operational first to get up in the sky. All right. Thank you, Ali. Read for that. Great to hear that they take it so seriously. Yeah. And you know, you don't even think about it. You just assume everything is fine. A lot of work gets into that. We certainly salute them. The airline industry. Very important.

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