On Thursday night, Jan. 20, Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTIA) put out a press release that was very similar to a release it had put out five days earlier.
Winter weather may be on the way and the airport will be open – but check ahead before flying because some flights could be canceled.
“Passengers planning to depart from the Piedmont Triad International Airport over the next few days should call their airline before leaving home to be sure that their flight is operating,” the statement cautioned.
Alex Rosser, the airport’s chief operating officer, stated that even if the weather here in Guilford County is good, the winter storm system that’s hitting the East Coast this weekend could affect flights in and out of PTIA.
According to airport officials, PTIA snow crews will be on duty and working “around the clock” to keep the airport running throughout the current weather event.
Local TV weather forecasters have had a very hard time getting a handle on how much snow, if any, Guilford County will get from the encroaching storms. This week forecasts have ranged from no snow at all to a possibility of 8 inches. As the weekend approached, the direst forecasts became more and more toned down.
But if the weather is bad, the airport has its bases covered, but passengers need to be prepared for some possible changes. The airport’s release states, “If conditions deteriorate significantly, vehicular access to the upper (departures/ticketing) level curbsides of the building may be closed. In this case, all vehicles will be routed to the lower (arrivals/baggage claim) level of the terminal, which is better protected from the weather.”
Passengers should also, airport officials state, be aware that the top level of PTIA’s parking deck is closed. Passengers who use the parking deck should enter at the lower level.
The statement also asked all those using the airport to drive carefully both coming to and leaving from PTIA.