An Inside look at Airport Snow Removal

Learn how these unsung heroes keep aircraft and travelers moving during Minnesota's snowy season.
MSP Airport's snow and ice removal team is considered world class. When partnered with the airlines, the FAA and the airport's airside operations team, even in the snowiest of conditions, MSP's on-time performance is one of the highest in the country.
So, next time you fly out of MSP during a snowstorm, say a little thank you for the people who work night and day to get you on your way.

[@johanneszwilling]

By FAR the best video on this I could find! Snappily paced; emphasis on the people doing the work; not too technical; simple language (no talking shop); good balance between showing it, having the professionals talk and narration; no fear-mongering, focused, to the point Very nicely done!

[@jcortelli]

Proud of MSP. Lucky to be a part of this community transitioning from when it was category 1 airport to category X. I've spent many overnights there to contribute my part. Although each airport I've traveled and worked at has been unique, but MSP is far the best. No wonder MSP named best airport in North America for the fourth consecutive year.

[@slimmsherpa9771]

coolest thing was the snow plow that avoided the runway lights

[@pestano60]

Proud resident of the Twin Cities. Had no idea of all the logistics behind runway decontamination procedures. Great video!!:)

[@andyfashant4677]

Great video! Thanks for the behind-the-scenes look.

[@YoNorton]

I got to see this in person a few days before Christmas 2022 while waiting to get de-iced on the ramp. Super impressive teamwork.

[@TacoStacks]

I want to work there!

[@jaysonl1510]

Have seen it in action while on the runway. Pretty cool indeed.

[@mnflyingchair4589]

They are the best thank you to all.

[@dfarmer_]

Very well done video!

[@zMischeivous]

Best airport in America.

[@satoshijon3730]

thanks jeremy. now im getting snow stuff

[@swedishpsychopath8795]

Thank you Norway and norwegian company Overaasen (Øveraasen) that invented the machinery these machines seems to be based on.

[@boatwhiskers63]

I may seem that way however these were developed here. They did produce the Vamass, a multi purpose "Plow and Broom" combo unit we used two seasons, ultimately rejecting it for our use. Oshgosh Truck and MB broom developed, along with our own in house fabricators and mechanics to produce all of the currant line up of MSP's snow equipment.

[@gabharpelle6284]

This is a really well made video

[@nickdawn3985]

Pretty cool, I wish they made one on the Ottawa Airport, they do all that with 10 ppl, massive 22' plows with sweepers in back.

[@krismanwaring402]

That is AMAZING

[@WhiskeyGulf71]

London Gatwick laid off all it’s snow clearing staff when Covid hit but decided to save some money by not rehiring, good idea until it snowed last December (2022) & they had to close the airport for less than an inch of snow 😮

[@bunnywarren]

Historically people complained about all the unnecessary equipment at Gatwick (and Heathrow) that was used for snow clearing. Of course when it snowed people complained the airports didn't have enough equipment. You can never stop people complaining. Some of the problem getting people back to work at airports has been the delays in security checks (people are working air-side). The airports say they have the staff but can't use them because the security checks weren't completed.

[@veramae4098]

Ha Ha Ha hahaha

[@johnverhoef]

Cool video! I love to see what is behind the scenes of what has become my fave airport in the US, one I have been to many times from Europe. What is the band playing in the background?

[@notnotjake]

damn. that's a lot of work!

[@oneTOU3]

Sounds like the teamsters gonna strike!

[@W2IRT]

"Conga leader, Snow Desk. MOVE." * Somewhere Joe Patroni is smiling (with a fresh cigar), and Mel Bakersfeld nods his approval. * From the 1970 movie "Airport," which was filmed at MSP, with snow removal crews taking center stage at the film's climax, and featured in the credits. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGa9nGl9nZd_rJI

[@idontcare1481]

What about the great men who de-ice the planes? Now that’s a cool thing to watch.

[@thegeneralissimo470]

Well isn’t that neat!

[@paulmurphy773]

Great video.... where at the airport are the maint. centers where all this snow removal equipment is maintained and stored in the off season?

[@tira2145]

Typically under the airport terminal. Most terminal's are elevated. That is so the walk into the plane is nearly level.

[@brianbeach3024]

@@tira2145 incorrect, usually it’s a building on the perimeter of the airport where they’re based. Terminal Operations are usually restricted to the Airline and Passenger-centered Operations, as well as Administrative Operations (such as the Command Center pictured in the video).

[@boatwhiskers63]

They have their our own, inside the AOA, but outside the Movement area, storage buildings to store all equipment inside year round.

[@martinlawn]

I seen it !

[@christophergaff6992]

Aircraft do not have the same tires cars have,the sole purpose for tires to hold up the aircraft

[@rmatt24]

What type of fueling equipment do they use for aviation fueling? Tankers or Hydrants or Both??

[@hint0122]

Basically, they have machines that pump fuel from the underground tanks and fill the planes. They could fill it in less than a minute if they took it right out of the pipes.

[@boatwhiskers63]

MSP specifically, uses an underground pipe system, to supply fuel to a truck mounted pump, and meter, to fuel all commercial, gate supported, aircraft.

[@reginaldpots5765]

So uh... Asking for a friend... Why is something like this not implemented in the rest of the metro area? Why are the roads all awful on the ramps?

[@tira2145]

Incredibly expensive. But it would be nice.

[@tuqe]

Because the state has been fully captured by capital and no longer even attempts to help individuals

[@tira2145]

@@tuqe Really? Your taxes would have to be tripled to pay for this level of snow removal. Some things are just not possible. But yes, I do agree. The government is corrupt from top to the bottom.

[@Chase_AM]

Think about the area of tarmac an airport has, then compare that to all of the public roadways in a city. The scale is on an entirely different level.

[@somnuswaltz5586]

Could've done without the stupid "asking for a friend" stuff 🙄

[@AlexKall]

No PSB's?

[@NONO-ic6fe]

Well.. I guess they beat me and my Toro snow thrower!

[@kissgergo5202]

How much more expensive would it be to put heating elements in the runways? I'm assuming it's quite a bit but how does it compare to the cost of dispatching the snow crew?

[@thomassmith3131]

I imagine the upkeep would be much harder, any electrical failure would mean pulling up the runway vs the occasional 15 minute runway closure

[@boatwhiskers63]

It would be impractical to heat millions of sq ft of pavement in a climate that sees extended sub zero temps for weeks on end, plus what to do with runoff when it is -20f. It has been studied, I promise.

[@davidv2700]

​@@boatwhiskers63I think the weight loads that the runways and ramps have to bear would make it difficult for any in-ground heating pipe to be installed.

[@JohnDoe-sg1pd]

Mel Bakersfield approves.

[@balkaraulakh5131]

Does the sand damage the engine blades?

[@boatwhiskers63]

FAA specifies grades of sand to limit engine damage in the event of uptake and ingress of sand (FOD). Two things used to prevent this are : 1. sand is stored in a heated (70F) building and loaded directly previous to application, this helps sand "bury itself" in the ice and snow. 2. Liquid deicer is applied concurrent with sand to help it stay on the pavement. FYI DOD has separate and unique standards for their aircraft regarding friction supplication materials, FOD. Don't ask how I know these things.

[@alex19923268]

Heated road maybe

[@ramithalasath8791]

Why don't they use heated driveways?

[@bottleandscrap7626]

What if the gravel goes into the engine

[@boatwhiskers63]

No gravel is used.

[@bottleandscrap7626]

@@boatwhiskers63 good how do you know that

[@Haarba1]

Its fun ofc, but clearing signs by hand, in 2020s... wtf? Just put a heating strip under it, its much cheaper than using people. If you like inefficiency so much why not remove snow with shovels... hire 2000-3000 people for it and it will be as fast as using machines but much more inefficient and expensive :)

[@damiancameron3614]

Oshkosh h series

[@ryanalexander984]

Why are they still using manual punch cards like it’s 1975?

[@misstransgender]

look at all the people sitting in a warm office figure

[@LiveMedia123]

I don't get it. Why are they removing ice and snow by hand from these signs? why aren't these signs heated like the starlink dish? I am guessing this will be a lot cheaper in the long term.

[@bunnywarren]

Given you need someone to go out and check the lights/signs are free from ice and snow that person might as well scrape them clear. They can also confirm the correct operation of the light as well.

[@LiveMedia123]

@@bunnywarren for every problem is a solution. Your suggested problem is easily fixed by placing a light sensor inside the sign. Also people are always driving around so a broken light or a sign covered by snow should be very noticeable. I bet the overal time spend on scraping signs and dedicating multiple people to this job is far more expensive than my solution.

[@boatwhiskers63]

This hand scraping is only a small fraction of what the electricians do to keep the airfield signage working and legible. This scraping, along with snow removal and daily inspections, of all airfield lighting, is required to maintain certification. It is just part of the daily airport operations, and no, heating everything does not save money or energy.

[@focusmicro]

ok

[@Local-Brain-Eater]

How long does it take to clear a runway

[@kingali1693]

"15-20 minutes"

[@dirtbagian]

Did you not watch the video?

[@boatwhiskers63]

Depends on conditions, but a window of about 30min in aircraft arrivals is needed, to complete a minimal snow operation at MSP.

[@hoodio]

active snow melters, wtf

[@sunitadwarka347]

I have one suggestion, can we use sand socks, mean make various pockets in sock fill it with sand. Close the pocket. We must experiment with sand or wood pieces or iron pieces with pyramid shapes to block the slippery movement. We must experiment. Jay shree ram.

[@sunitadwarka347]

Now we must work on why tyre slip on snow?, how can make better tyre, using other systems like attaching rope or any other system for slippery ice. It's impossible because of velocity but nothing harm in thinking. Jay shree ram.

[@halleradam]

This is what a dysfunctional transportation system requires. More sane and logical: modern rail systems. Why we stick to ineffective and fragile air travel is beyond me.

[@LadyZeldaia]

because you go and put rails over the ocean and get back to me

[@brianbeach3024]

Rail might work in more densely populated areas like Europe, but the US is too spread out for rail travel beyond the local level to be a serious contender with air travel. In Europe you can get from London to Paris in less time via train than on a plane, but travel between Minneapolis and Chicago takes three times as long.

[@thomasjsanford4229]

Air travel from New York to Seattle = 4-5 hours Amtrak on the same route= 4-5 DAYS.. Does that answer your question?

[@LadyZeldaia]

@@brianbeach3024 high speed rail between cities would work in the US tho