The runways have to be cleared constantly for air traffic during the winter months
ESCANABA -- Keeping roads clear during the winter months is a lot of work. And keeping runways clear at the Delta County Airport can be especially challenging.
In fact sometimes it's a 24 hour job... with the plows running days on end.
By day's end, John Weber will have plowed more than 100 miles worth of roads...without even having left airport grounds.
That's because runways have to be cleared constantly for air traffic during the winter months. Weber's just one of four workers keeping runways open.
And constant blowing, drifting snow like we saw Monday, keeps them on their toes.
"If it's really bad weather, sometimes you'll be out in the truck for anywhere from 14 to 16 hours a pop," Weber explained. "Sometimes that truck will run 3/4 days straight without ever being shut off."
Crews also have to check braking action on the runways as well, which tests to see how a pilot's brakes will function if snow or ice is present.
"It’s supposed to be done anytime after you get down plowing," Weber said. "You can do it prior, but the minute you plow, it makes everything null and void so you would just have to get back out and do it all over again."
But those working the runways aren't the only ones keeping busy at the airport. Three flights come in and out of the airport daily.
And although some nasty weather has cancelled a few flights so far this winter, passenger boarding numbers are above those this at time last year.
"We've had a significant increase in our numbers for this year over last year," explained Airport Manager, Connie Ness. "For 2008, we ended the year with about 5,000 boardings. This year, we've had about 6,300 so we're above last year."
Even though December numbers aren't in yet, officials expect boardings to be up even more. And crews will be working to make sure to keep the runways open so boardings can keep steady into the New Year.
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