Friday, October 8, 2010

Friday, October 08, 2010

McMurdo Station, Antarctica

 

Somewhat busy week. I had Sunday off and was generally unproductive. I did laundry, though.

 

Took my first "9-1-1" call on Monday which ended up being a dud. The call came in from Scott Base and was just a lady asking if the flight to McMurdo landed. This was at 2pm. The flight had been put on a 24-hour delay at 9am. The best we could figure is that the person called Scott Base from New Zealand and they transferred the caller to us on the 9-1-1 line accidentally, instead of the non-emergency line. What we couldn't figure out is why Scott Base couldn't tell them that an Antarctic flight from their own country was cancelled.

 

On the plus side, I think everything (or most of it) is starting to sink in at work. Tomorrow will be my last day in training, and I'll be flying solo on Monday. Our 4th dispatcher's PQ status came in too late for the 15 October flight, so I'm going to be on days for about the next 3 weeks instead of 2. Then, I should transition to the swing shift and, ultimately, night shift.

 

I witnessed Condition One weather for my first time on Wednesday. It was never officially declared on station, but there was about an hour or so where we couldn't see the ARFF truck that was parked right outside the kitchen window. I can now officially say I've been to Antarctica. There was also a Happy Camper school that was trying to get picked up to come back in to town during it, too. They ended up sending a Delta and a van out to get them. I think it took the vehicles about an hour to get out there -- they were inching along and actually drove past the pick-up point. It was a cluster. But, the trucks finally got there, picked the folks up, and brought them back.

 

I also went to Scott Base last night for "American Night." They host it every Thursday and we're all invited to peruse their gift shop (I bought some postcards and a stuffed penguin which I have named Winston) and hang out in their bar. The bar was rather crowded, so I didn't stay very long.

 

I think I might try to find a group to hike Ob Hill this weekend. 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, October 3, 20`0

Sunday, October 03, 2010

McMurdo Station, Antarctica 

First day off. This week has been interesting. Dispatching here is substantially different fromwhat I'm used to. I'm more of a 4-1-1 operator than a 9-1-1. In fact, I haven't even taken a 9-1-1 call since I've been here. I've spent the week trying to learn all the information to do my job. Lots of stuff. Start working days tomorrow and I'll be on that shift for a couple weeks, then I'll probably be going to nights.

  

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Thursday, September 30, 2010

McMurdo Station, Antarctica 

Just a quick update before I hit the sack.

 

Officially started work yesterday. It's different than what I'm used to. We use an old Zetron radio console (VHF...no 800 trunk stuff here) and actual, honest to God, TELEPHONES. :)

 

Haven't taken any 9-1-1 calls in the past two days. Most of the calls are people looking for phone numbers (most of which can be found online) or getting locked out of rooms.

 

Anyhoo...next day off is Sunday and then I move to day shift (I'm currently on a 1500-2300 swing shift). I'm hoping to get some of my pics uploaded on Sunday. 

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

McMurdo Station, Antarctica 

I finally made it to McMurdo!

 

After the flight boomerranged on Saturday, it was delayed for 24 hours the next day. Spent the day wandering around Christchurch again. Went to the museums near Cathedral Square with a group.

 

The next day started off with a 3-hour delay which turned in to a 24-hour delay as soon as we were getting on the shuttles. Ended up going out to Lyttleton for dinner and had some extremely good fish and chips.

 

The flight left Christchurch around 8 this morning and we arrived at McMurdo around 1. Had a welcome briefing, got my room key, met my supervisor, and was taken over to the firehouse to see where I'm going to work. I start working tomorrow at 3pm. Should be interesting. 

Monday, September 20, 2010

Monday, September 20, 2010

Centennial, CO

 

Yesterday was a long day. I was up at 8am. Dad and I left for the airport around 9. Mom was coming down with a cold, so she didn't get to come with us.

We stopped at IHOP for breakfast, and I couldn't find my phone when we left the restaraunt; so, we had to make a trip home. Only to find out I was sitting on it.

So, attempt #2 for the airport. Success. While sitting at the gate, I overheard a guy behind me on his phone talking about starting his "journey" and rattling off destination of DFW, Denver, and LAX. It seemed too coincidental to me, then he said he should be on the Ice on the 25th. What were the odds? I introduced myself and found out that he was working in Supply at McMurdo. We ended up sticking together through the flights.

Other than being delayed 25 minutes, the flight from DFW to Denver was rather uneventful. I met 3 other folks on the plan that weree headed to McMurdo, too. One of the girls had flown from Philadelphia to catch a connecting flight at DFW for Denver. Nobody can figure out that one.

After arriving in Denver, I met some more McMurdo folks, got my luggage, and caught a shuttle to the Red Lion Hotel. Once there, I grabbed a bite to eat, called home, and crashed.

I got up at 5:30 this morning and, after breakfast, boarded a shuttle for Raytheon.

Today was typical orientation stuff. We received our travel funds, luggage tags, and travel packets. Tomorrow is all about safety briefings. Then we load shuttles for the airport and begin our long flight to Christchurch.

It's hard to believe I'll be at a place very few people ever have the chance to go in about 3 days. Wow. 

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Saturday, September 18, 2010

The Woodlands, TX

 

It's the day before I leave. Mom and I managed to cram everything in to one suitcase. 67 pounds worth.

 

I head to Denver tomorrow (by way of DFW) at 12:05. I'll spend two days therre for orientation, then head to LAX for a few hours lay-over (where I hope to see a friend that lives out there). After that, I fly for 12 hours to New Zealand, catch ANOTHER plane for Christchurch, and spend a coule days there getting my Extreme Cold Weather gear. Then, I board a C-130 (or similar) for McMurdo.

 

It's going to be a long week.... 

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Sunday, September 12, 2010

9:53 PM

The Woodlands, TX, USA

It's been a few days. I've basically been spending them gather things to take when I'm not working. My last shift should be the 6p-6a on the 15th, then it's all ahead full. It feels weird the closer Sunday gets.
Dad and I went to REI today and got $600 worth of cold-weather clothing and such. Most of it was on clearance. The pair of Jolbo glacier glasses were on sale for $60 instead of the listed $120.

The Haul:
1 Beanie with windstop
1 pr glove liners with windstop
1 fleece zip-up sweatshirt/liner
1 orange down vest
1 pr utility pants
1 pr midweight long bottoms
1 pr sunglasses

Tomorrow I'm going to see about getting new glasses and get cracking on packing.

-Brandon