De-Icing in MEM
 

I did something that I had never done before in ramp ops this morning. While running the main deck loader, I got to De-Ice the cans that were coming up. I just brought the freight up the elevator to a few feet below my level on the deck, and then went to town with a big broom trying to get the worst of the snow off the cans. We received some info a while back about how important it is to do this, and I understand and agree. It is my understanding that the added weight of the snow on the cans is one issue, and the second being that as the snow melts off during flight, the water can run down the A/C and damage some sensitive equipment. I wonder how they do this can snow removal at some of the out-stations that get get more snow than MEM? I think tarping the cans until the moment of load is the way to go. Just my 2 cents. . .

i have no idea...i was diving off the coast of honduras...won't be strapped in until march sometime..enjoy the snow...

MARCH!?! that's a long time to be chillin. Personally, I kinda like the snow, it's a change from the norm around here. Actually thinking about moving somewhere were there's a little more of it.

Speaking of Honduras, the fam did a dive trip on a live aboard on one of the Aggressor boats back when I was in H.S. pretty cool stuff, probably the clearest water I have ever seen. We left out of Roatan if I remember correctly.

I think most out-stations do their sort indoors and don't bring the cans out until they're ready to be loaded. Any snow falling during the loading process, is then probably reduced to rain and just rolls off the cans. And you're quite correct about water getting below decks and damaging sensitive equipment. Why just last week, some water seeped below the main deck on a 727 and almost killed the cat and duck we keep down there to help us navigate and remain shiny side up.:D

Dude...WHY the Hell are you posting an internet message board? And you were the FIRST response!

If you are going to go on vacation then GO! Cripes, I don't post here if I don't get enough sleep on a layover and you are posting from a damn BEACH in Honduras? Does your wife/girlfriend know that you are paying extra for internet access in your cabana?

And jetjok: Don't forget, you need to keep the hamsters dry to run the gyros! Those cages will get squeaky with too much water!

ABK -

Thanks for taking the time to do that job right. It doesn't seem like a big deal, but it can turn into one in a hurry when that water gets where it ain't s'posed to be.

no problem, that morning was kinda fun, once again a departure from the ordinary, and much easier to do with a big broom. Glad we were loading a big bus instead of an -11 :), that could have taken awhile. How big a deal is it to have all that extra weight bearing on the A/C? In addition, I think I saw a picture in one of the AOD publications showing ice all over some internal equipment, may have even been a 727, did not see any frozen cats, ducks, or hamsters though ;) any-rate, I hope the ramp rats continue in this practice . . .

It ain't the weight, it's the water. Sort of like the Pepsi Syndrome only in the dark at 200 knots....

There is nothing wrong with snow, as long as there is a 11,000 ft mountain nearby and it snows atleast 36" and it stays around for a few months.
It is the damp wet ice/sleet that comes for 1 or 2 days a year.