For any expressjet pilots starting in Chicago this morning: how do you do the preflight in the cold wind ? Do they provide any warming layers you can throw on, or do you just do it quickly? I don’t usually balk T cold wind but it’s -19 F with 20 mph winds. What do the baggage handlers do to keep their eyeballs from freezing? What do the FOs do to prevent frostbite during preflight?[/QUOTE]

If you need it, take a warming break. You can get frostbite in less time than it takes to preflight in this weather....and you probably won’t realize it until its too late.

So, you go to REI and buy yourself a pair of the Katoola Ultra Micro Spikes that slip on your shoes and fit into a small bag that is waterproof and super small. This will keep you from busting your A$$ (also on the overnights). You also need a small neoprene facemask and some good gloves.

Pilot sweater under the leather jacket. For footwear when based in DTW I broke down and purchased a pair of lambskin lined Chelsea style boots with Goodyear tread soles. Don't mess with your feet. I could wear them walking around at overnights. Still have them for cold weather.

I don't care what kind of "soles" you have on your footwear: you will bust your friggen a** on ICE without "nano spikes". They allow you to even jog on icy sidewalks and slip right over your regular Pilot Shoes, or Running Shoes in seconds.

You do wtf you want though.

Not XJT, but ORD based.

For this particular frozen hell, I did a thermal baselayer under the pants, thick wool socks, thermal baselayer undershirt, balaclava, hat, winter coat, company trench, and ski goggles.

I would never bring that much normally but -50 wind chill can cause corneal frostbite, and regular frostbite in under 2 minutes. I know some people would make fun of me for this, but you cannot do an effective preflight in 2 minutes freezing your ass off the entire time. When you’re looking at temps that low just do what you need to do to keep from hurting yourself while allowing you to do your job.

If it takes longer than 2 minutes, you're doing it all wrong. Tires, engines, wings, no puddles of fluid...we're good! :D

Hmmm.... I don’t see where I disagreed with you. But spikes don’t do much to keep you warm.

General question for XJT folks: do you like the variety of flying you get at XJT? Part of me feels like Commutair with their short upgrade time is the “smart but ugly” choice, whereas XJT wit their decent contract and Mexico flying makes up for the lack of movement and upgrade. What do you think?

I have a non-uniform nice black jacket that I will use. There’s no company approved anything for this level of cold.

Unless you can afford the $450 leather jacket. And even then....

That aside, long johns and thermal undershirts are a must. Gloves (nothing too fancy because it’s gonna get dirty opening panels), and a face mask, which is something I should get.

For the slippery ice, I do the penguin waddle and a prayer.

The ORD ground crew only spends 5 minutes outside before they swap crews, or so I’ve been told.

When I was LGA based, we went to CLE and RIC all the time.... I mean A LOT. It got really old really fast.

Same with BTR flying out of DFW.

We do stay at nice hotels though. That can be as important if not more important. How are C5’s hotels?

Edit: in RIC, we stay at the downtown Marriot for long overnights and a Hyatt Place for the short overnights. Ask the C5 guys where they stay in RIC.