RDU crews prepare for winter weather as travelers, taxi drivers hope for minimal disruptions
As the state Department of Transportation prepares interstates, bridges and roads for winter weather, similar operations are underway at Raleigh Durham International Airport.
Travelers and taxi drivers, including Rachid Oufquir, said they're hoping for a forecast that won’t alter their everyday plans too much.
"This is my only source of income right now," said Oufquir, who has been driving taxis for the past six years.
Oufquir said most of his customers are travelers arriving at RDU Airport, and incoming winter weather can be a boom or bust for business.
Currently, Oufquir is anticipating flight cancelations.
"We only have a few flights that are coming into RDU. We are really impacted by this. [It's] very slow," he said.
But, Oufquir said he's ready to brave the roads.
"The driving conditions are going to be a little bit hard," said Oufquir. "You have to be able to drive conscious."
Maintenance crews are already taking steps to make sure taxiways, runways and terminal ramps are cleared of snow and ice.
"The equipment you see online is mainly for the airfield. Starting off, we have a 4-ton sprayer. It's a salt and de-icer truck, followed by 1,100 gallon E-36, which is a liquid de-icer vehicle," said Curtis Henderson, the maintenance director for RDU.
As the hours-long efforts to keep operations up and running continues, travelers Chris Clifton said he's hoping to return home from Salt Lake City, Utah, on Sunday.
"We'll stay stay there and come down when we can," Clifton said about his backup plan to flight cancelations.
RDU crews will begin working 12-hour shifts starting Thursday. Airport officials encourage travelers to check their airline before arriving at the airport.
