Touchdown!

The night before our flight, McMurdo had a pretty intense snowstorm, and the airfield was in jeopardy of not being prepared to receive a flight the next day. Our arrival time to the Clothing Distribution Center was moved back two hours to 8am vs 6am, as we awaited news of McMurdo's airport status. 

When you get to the CDC, you have to change into your cold weather gear and get all your bags ready for check-in. You can only take a small carry-on on the plane. One of your checked bags is called a "boomerang" bag, such that they pack it where they can easily get it back to you if the aircraft returns to the original destination or never takes off. 



"Big Red" parka on and orange ECW bag
This is my luggage stack - 2 duffles, ECW bag, and a backpack

ECW bags lined up for the females on the flight

We were finally given the go around 10am to start the boarding process. Once onboard the C-17, you strap down into a seat on the side of the plane. I had the unfortunate seat with a huge shipping container a few feet in front of my face for 5 hours (Tools for the NASA GUSTO Payload inside). My side view was of some pallets for our new lodging buiding being built. You can also see on the right side how they stack our luggage in pallets and wrap them up. On the left side you can see a square item wrapped in black cloth. These are the fresh fruits and vegetables on a pallet that has that covering to help keep them cool. 

You absolutely need to wear ear protection, as the C-17 is LOUD. Most people settled down with headphones and watched shows or listened to music. We are normally given a lunch bag with some snacks and two sandwiches... one for the way there and one for if we have to "boomerang" back to our starting point. Unfortunately, that day they forgot our sandwiches in the bags.... so this girl was HANGRY. I hadn't eaten dinner or breakfast, so was looking forward to some sustenance onboard. Big fat nyet! 


Even as you are 30 minutes close to landing, there's still a possibility that the plane has to turn around. So, you cross your fingers and hope that all goes well and this is the day you get to land... and not return back for another 5 hours without food in this case!

Luckily, we landed. You don't have a window in the C-17 to look out and know the ground is coming. But you can tell when those wheels hit that ice! Hazahh! We were lucky to make it with just a one-day mechanical delay and on the first takeoff!

There's our C-17 where we deplaned! Made it!
Absolutely beautiful day!

Vehicles ready for pickup


After a 40 min drive to McMurdo, we were ready for dinner and eventually got our bags to unpack. It's great to be back. The scenery is so breathtaking on the drive in from the airfield. The sun is bright, the air crisp, and brisk.

Time to get to work!

Comments

  1. Mae TravelsNovember 8, 2023 at 4:09 AM

    Great to hear that you have landed safely and are resuming your adventures in the frozen South! I hope you have a fabulous stay and that all your work goes well.
    best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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