Originally Posted by freshairborne

Runways are snowplowed in snowy conditions, and usually a vehicle that has friction measuring capability will check the traction afterwards. Also, we will give a braking action report after we land on runways that are not clean and dry.

Depending upon the reports, snow pack, precipitation rate, the aircraft type, and other things, we have crosswind, headwind, tailwind and weight penalties.

Also, we know what we're doing and we know our limitations. Experience is a big factor. I remember, as a new United pilot (flight engineer) landing on a slick runway in blowing snow in the middle of the night in some small airport that we used to fly to, and thinking very highly of the captain and copilot. 15 years later, as a captain landing in the same place in the same conditions it wasn't any big deal. Not a piece of cake but entirely possible and fairly routine.

FAB