Originally Posted by
HSVTSO Dean
"Ugh."
That is the only thing I have to say today. I am bushed.
So this nice big line of thunderstorms decide to rip through the south today. One of them lands a big ol' squawk of hail and lightning and horrendous wind right on top of Huntsville International Airport.
Shortly after the x-ray machines and the WTMDs go down, the public safety guys (i.e.; the APo) make the decision to evacuate the concourse. They shanghai a couple of the TSOs to help move the passengers in the checkpoint at that moment in time down to the tornado shelter, and the rest of us hike out to another tornado shelter.
Sounds like you had your hands full!
What/where is the tornado shelter at HSV? (some back-office areas or basement area, not normally open to the public ?)
A few years ago I happened to be on a flight from LAX to MSP; as we started our decent it was obvious we were flying next to a huge t-storm.
Upon landing, you could hear the tornado sirens from inside the aircraft. We do a fast taxi and make our way to the gate.
Inside the terminal it's completely packed (many delayed and canceled flights). There was an announcement that would keep running about the tornado warning and to seek shelter away from glass.
A bit difficult to do at MSP with the design - ok, I guess you could go landside and down to the basement/ground transport area (or over to concourse A/B) -- I was in the F/G area.
About 5% of the people in the terminal were taking the warning seriously and were grouped in the few areas away from windows.
As far as everyone else, it was business as usual. I proceed to the NW lounge - business as usual other than a couple of announcements to stay away from the glass.
Storm was pretty nasty, but it went through and the ramp opened back up an hour later once the lightning subsided.
If they would have evacuated the terminal and forced everyone out (not quite sure where there would be space for everyone) - it would have been ugly, even with all the TSA checkpoints at MSP.
Thankfully my connecting aircraft and crew arrived before the storm -- there were a lot of diversions and cancellations that night.