The Snow Stars do not have this as a full-time job, but do this in addition to their work at Schiphol. The team consists of office workers, contractors and secretaries. “Normally I’m busy behind my laptop,” says snow fleet employee Jop Bolsius. “So it’s great to see Schiphol from the outside, to also contribute to what we do as an airport in the operation.”
It’s not often that the snow plow is called. And the question remains whether runways actually need to be cleared of snow. “The weather models are changing,” says team leader David Scholten during the briefing.
Waiting is rewarded
The snow fleet, consisting of seventy vehicles and approximately 160 employees per shift, gathers in a parking lot. After hours of waiting, the snow is finally intensifying. At half past six the time has finally come and the snow fleet takes to the track. The waiting is rewarded.
The runways, taxiways and access roads must be swept clean. Jop and his colleagues get the evening they hoped for. “Maybe what we dreamed of,” laughs Jop. “It’s really nice to see that all the preparations we do all year long are reflected and that everything is going well.”