Yes, I've waited years to post that as a blog title. But why not Minot? I'll tell you why. In a convoluted change of events, my flight from Idaho Falls to Denver was canceled due to high winds in Denver. While enroute from Idaho Falls to Minot on a ferry flight, we picked up the weather which was reporting 45mph wind gusts, heavy blowing snow, 1/4 mile visibility, freezing fog, and snow covering the runway. It was my leg (naturally) and I told the captain that even if the visibility improved enough to make us legal for the approach, I wasn't comfortable with landing in Minot. If it was one of those things, ok, but all five of those combined? It didn't seem safe in the least. After holding for 20 mins above Minot, we diverted to Bismarck.
Bismarck was the most appealing of the alternate airports because they didn't have heavy blowing snow and freezing fog. All I had to contend with on approach was a 40 mph wind gust. You could feel the plane shaking from side to side after we landed. My arms really got a workout muscling the plane onto the ground. Initially the company wanted us to gas up and try again, but the weather wasn't forecast to improve for hours, so we would spend the night in Bismarck, take off around 830am and ferry the plane to Minot. The unfortunate part of this story was 1) We had basically the minimum rest in Bismarck, and 2) We would have to sit in Minot Airport for four hours as we waited for our next scheduled departure to Denver. Here we see a deserted Bismarck Airport. Like most North Dakota airports, it was clean, modern looking, and completely empty. And unhelpful to my attempt at rest was a 6am call from the front desk asking, "What time did you want your shuttle to the airport?" I thought we had clearly stated this the night before and also why was I singled out for the phone call?
Minot's weather had not improved all that drastically since last night. The wind was still full force and the blowing snow still limited visibility to about two miles, but it was legal now. Fortunately the next crew was on hand to take the plane from us when we arrived. I don't think I've ever been so grateful to see the other FO. I told him I was very glad that I didn't have to do the walkaround and promptly exited stage left. With the conditions as they are, I imagine one would get frostbite for anything more than five minutes outside. The snow had even blown up and inside parts of the jetway to give you an idea of how gusty it actually was.
We encountered another deserted terminal -- clean, modern, and empty in Minot. I had some breakfast from the one café in the terminal and then set up camp next to a power outlet.
After about an hour, I heard the whine of a jet engine. Turning into a nearby gate was the plane that I had just turned over to the new crew. Evidently Denver is delaying flights . . . again. This does not bode well for us as we are already scheduled to time out enroute from Denver to Fresno. With any luck, maybe they'll just deadhead me direct from Denver to LAX, but the way things are going the last 24 hours, I'm not terribly optimistic.
UPDATE: IT GOT WORSE
Shortly after posting this blog, I logged into the airline's website to research some travel destinations because it kills time and gives me something to look forward to. Sadly, it also alerted me to a schedule change. I would be deadheading to LAX once I got to Denver . . . tomorrow. That means I get to spend the entire day in Minot. I guess the inbound flight from Denver was canceled so we have no way of getting out. With the wind still blowing in strong, going outside was out of the question. The crew hotel in Minot is physically attached to a shopping mall, so that became my only refuge.
After grabbing lunch with the crew, I came back to the room, where the wind was so strong it was forcing itself through the air conditioning unit in the wall. I felt it was healthier to go for a walk around the mall. It wasn't a very big mall, nor was it busy so I kept seeing the same people over and over again. There were stores that I wasn't even sure were still in business.
UPDATE: IT GOT WORSE
Shortly after posting this blog, I logged into the airline's website to research some travel destinations because it kills time and gives me something to look forward to. Sadly, it also alerted me to a schedule change. I would be deadheading to LAX once I got to Denver . . . tomorrow. That means I get to spend the entire day in Minot. I guess the inbound flight from Denver was canceled so we have no way of getting out. With the wind still blowing in strong, going outside was out of the question. The crew hotel in Minot is physically attached to a shopping mall, so that became my only refuge.
After grabbing lunch with the crew, I came back to the room, where the wind was so strong it was forcing itself through the air conditioning unit in the wall. I felt it was healthier to go for a walk around the mall. It wasn't a very big mall, nor was it busy so I kept seeing the same people over and over again. There were stores that I wasn't even sure were still in business.
The center kiosks had interesting wares to peddle as well. There was one that was entirely samurai swords and large knives. Another had primarily confederate flag t-shirts. Finally there was this one claiming to be some kind of massage thing, but it looked more like a torture device that would shoot 10,000 volts straight to your nips. In any event, I was constantly reminded that I was a long way from Los Angeles.
I have an app on my phone that has little health "challenges" that I check off and earn gift cards. Some involve exercise or getting a certain number of hours of sleep etc. One of them is simply titled, "Be grateful each day." I didn't think I would have any reason to check it off today, but after a few hours of mall walking and feeling cold air force its way through the wall of my room, I opened up the app and checked it off. I am very grateful to not live here. I'm sure the much manlier looking men of North Dakota would look at me in my skinny jeans and look down at me as some soft little sissy from California, but you know what? I'm ok with that. I look forward to 80 degrees and sun tomorrow . . . if something actually goes right.
