Milwaukee Airport and Snow

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

This may be a dumb question but I'll ask it anyway (I've never received pixie dust from anywhere so I don't expect any here either ). I'm supposed to fly out of MKE on Tuesday on Midwest and the weather forecast is calling for snow. I usually fly in the winter and have flown out of MKE and O'Hare in bad weather in the past but I read that MKE no longer plows the runways and they will not fly out if it is snowing. Is this true? Do I need to do something now as a contingency? I realize that long-term forecasts are not real realiable, but with my luck it probably will be accurate . Any insight or help would be appreciated.

I have read the thread on flying in bad weather. Since I do not have the new fangled gadgets (laptop, cell phone) some of those things that I should do, I will not be able to accomplish. But I would like to be as prepared as possible with the tools that I do have.

Thank you for any help!

 

[Emmabean2000]

Oh, they will plow. I have flown out many times from Milwaukee in the winter, and never had an unusual, lack of plowing weather delay. Now if we are to get a foot of snow, then things will slow down, but yes, they will be out there with their plows. And they better because I am flying out on Wednesday!

 

[OhMari]

Here is a link to watch. http://www.mitchellairport.com/flightinfo.php?mode=departures

They post all departures and arrivals. They will post 12 hours before each flight. At least you can watch at home.
Also check in with Midwest site. They will let you know on their site if your plane is delayed.

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Thank you so much for your quick responses. I don't live near Milwaukee so I don't even get the weather for that area. The problem is that I need to drive down the night before so I won't have access to the internet to get the 12 hour postings or to check the Midwest website. (Although, maybe the hotel has a computer center - some of them do, I'll have to check into that) That's why I'm getting a bit concerned even though it's a little premature. Also I'm flying my DN out of Green Bay and she's connecting through MKE to meet up with me so I'm a little worried about her getting in as well and what happens to her if the flights don't match up because of weather interference.

I really appreciate your help. It's nice to know that they still do plow the runways. I read a couple of months ago that this was no longer being done. Just goes to show - you can't believe everything you read. Emmabean2000 - I hope your flight leaves on time and goes smoothly.

 

[RobnRud]

Hey, just jumping in on what seems like MKE experts. Just booked our March trip out of MKE. We live near Chicago, but don't mind the drive since as of right now it's saving us $1800!!!!!! Any experience with long term parking at MKE?? Appears a few hotels do a parking/hotel night package, but with the flight times we have it's not really necessary to stay overnight.
Any hints, info re MKE is appreciated.
Robin

 

[Emmabean2000]

Parking costs on site range from about $8 to $13 per day, depending on how close you want to be to the airport. We have never had problems finding a spot. Lots of the hotels do the park and ride thing, which we have taken advantage of many times. One good thing about Milwaukee, is that it is a smaller airport, and access in and out is very smooth!

KJ Luvs Pluto, my sister just went down on Sunday after some snow with no delays. And we flew in the day after snow earlier this month and the runways looked great. You are right that most hotels have computers to check internet. That probably will be your best bet. I am sure you will get there no problem, but if not, I will see you there on Wednesday!

 

[Inkmahm]

No plowing in Milwaukee?

Seattle is the place that isn't plowing from what I understand... I don't know how they expect people to drive on those hills with no plowing being done, or salting!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I live 10 minutes from O'Hare, almost always drive the hour north to MKE and Midwest Air.

Most of my flights are early AM, I drive up the night before, stay at the Wyndham. They drive me over in the AM, pick me up when I return. If I have a late morning or afternoon flight, I drive up same day, park in remote lot http://www.mitchellairport.com/parking/ and use the shuttle bus to pick me up and drop me off at return. Works great.

They did close MKE about a week or so ago when the plowing could not keep up with the VERY heavy snowfall. It was essentially a blizzard. If they did not plow during snows, the airport would be closed half the winter season. It is a great airport, a great airline.

Enjoy.

 

[RobnRud]

Thanks for the quick response. Sounds like we have nothing to stress about...I'm a Midway girl, so somewhere new is alittle unnerving with the 3 kids!
Thanks again!

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Thanks everyone. I thought this sounded a bit "weird" and I knew that I would get the correct answers here from the experts. If the information can help others as well, that makes me feel good.

 

[CarolA]

Check your airline website for weather advisorys before you leave home. Sometimes they will let you make changes in advance. (Heck if you already know start checking now!) Delta had one up for the last few days, but there's nothing showing now.

 

[OhMari]

Thank you so much for your quick responses. I don't live near Milwaukee so I don't even get the weather for that area. The problem is that I need to drive down the night before so I won't have access to the internet to get the 12 hour postings or to check the Midwest website. (Although, maybe the hotel has a computer center - some of them do, I'll have to check into that) That's why I'm getting a bit concerned even though it's a little premature. Also I'm flying my DN out of Green Bay and she's connecting through MKE to meet up with me so I'm a little worried about her getting in as well and what happens to her if the flights don't match up because of weather interference.

I really appreciate your help. It's nice to know that they still do plow the runways. I read a couple of months ago that this was no longer being done. Just goes to show - you can't believe everything you read. Emmabean2000 - I hope your flight leaves on time and goes smoothly.

If you want, you can PM me and we can exchange phone numbers. I'll have access to the computer, and I can let you know if your flight changes or anything. I'm not a stalker, or wierd, maybe menopausal, lol, but I could keep an eye on it for you. Let me know.

I am flying out the following Tuesday. But I am going to Savannah, not WDW I really considered flying down next Friday and going Solo to WDW, but I thought my family would think I would be really nuts. I am just flying down, and helping my dd drive back to WI. I don't think anyone should drive cross country by themselves.

 

[sparkyboy]

No plowing in Milwaukee?

Seattle is the place that isn't plowing from what I understand... I don't know how they expect people to drive on those hills with no plowing being done, or salting!

My niece who lives near Seattle is stressed over being house bound for several days. We wouldn't know what to do if we had to mow the grass in February rather than push the snow and throw salt/sand on the ice. There's no greater place than the Midwest so as to make a journey to WDW.

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

If you want, you can PM me and we can exchange phone numbers. I'll have access to the computer, and I can let you know if your flight changes or anything. I'm not a stalker, or wierd, maybe menopausal, lol, but I could keep an eye on it for you. Let me know.

I am flying out the following Tuesday. But I am going to Savannah, not WDW I really considered flying down next Friday and going Solo to WDW, but I thought my family would think I would be really nuts. I am just flying down, and helping my dd drive back to WI. I don't think anyone should drive cross country by themselves.

That is so very nice of you to offer. When I read this I couldn't believe someone would be willing do to this for a stranger. I really appreciate it but I'm a little behind the times I guess - I don't have a cell phone for you to reach me. Thank you for putting yourself out there and offering to do that for me!!! It's just so heartwarming to know people are so willing to helps others. I'm going to keep an eye on the weather - those long term forecasts can be wrong and hopefully things will change and the freezing rain and sleet will just be snow and all will go well for everyone traveling then.

Although you're not going to WDW, the drive with your DD should be nice. Have a very safe trip.

P.S. There is pixie dust on the Transportation Board

 

[Big V]

Great thread! This is why I love living in Wisconsin!

 

[OhMari]

Great thread! This is why I love living in Wisconsin!

Hey V, haven't seen you on the boards in awhile.
Have you taken advantage of Alliagient (sp?) in Appleton. I saw that you can fly out of Appleton for $89 round trip to ORD on a Tuesday or some other day?

KJ Luvs Pluto

We just came home from my sons apartment. He lives across the highway from the airport. Right now, Milwaukee hardly has any snow on the ground compared to us. The lake really acts as a warming blanket. When we get snow, they get rain, but it does snow ocassionally. When planes depart they usually head into the wind, which is south or west. But when you land, you hoover over Lake Michigan, scarier than heck, don't look out the window.

Have a great trip.

We can "Keep weather watch" with this thread till you leave."

 

[Big V]

Hey V, haven't seen you on the boards in awhile.
Have you taken advantage of Alliagient (sp?) in Appleton. I saw that you can fly out of Appleton for $89 round trip to ORD on a Tuesday or some other day?

We're flying out of MKE at the end of Feb. Allegiant flies out of Appleton on Wed. and Sat. and their prices were about $50 higher than Airtran was. We were afraid that with only one flight out per day, if we had weather delays, we wouldn't get out until the following Wed. if we had one!

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Weather Watch: Well, the weather is looking up. It went from freezing rain and sleet to just snow and that sounds like it's going to be just a few inches over the course of the day and then into the evening and Wednesday. So hopefully those who are flying both Tuesday and Wednesday will do just fine . So hopefully, I'll see you there, somewhere, Emmabean and that your flight goes without a hitch.

Safe travels everyone. We have a very nice coating of ice with snow over it today so I hope everyone is safe if they are traveling today. And again, thank you for all the help and encouragement - it is very much appreciated.

 

[Emmabean2000]

And when you look at the weather in Orlando, we are heading towards the warm sun! Good luck to you too KJ Luvs Pluto and I especially hope DN's connections go smoothly! Enjoy the magic!

 

[mommy*RN]

Wisconsin and weather...my favorite subjects behind WDW!!
Hope you all have pleasant trips. I'll be here...shoveling, skating or swimming depending on the weather!