Setting the record straight

Current Temp Ambient:  -8  Windchill:   -8
Windspeed (knots):   calm
Sunrise:                     0430
Sunset:                       2257 (10:57PM)

As you can see, we have sunlight about 19 hours a day now, makes it easy to wake up but hard to get to sleep.

Not much new to report except that we are getting 200-300 new people each week, so that's keeping us busy at work, and waiting around for exercise equipment, food, water, and watching people stand around in narrow hallways creating unnecessary congestion (new people have an excuse, old timers, STOP DOING THAT!)  On the flip side, freshies are available at pretty much every meal.

I've had a lot of questions about the woman who had a minor stroke at the South Pole.  Apparently her daughter and family have petitioned the White House and are causing a ruckus because they think that Raytheon has the ability to get her out but they are simply refusing.  If you know me at all, you know that I am NOT a fan of huge corporations, particularly my current employer, however, there have been many a medevac and I know for a fact that if nothing else, the NSF and Raytheon don't want to get sued.  If someone needs medical attention beyond the capacity of the medical staff down here, they make every effort to get them off continent as quickly as possible.

Problem is, when jet fuel gets cold, it turns into a gel, and planes can't fly that way.  Even in the short amount of time they are on the ground, the fuel can gel.  South Pole is much colder than McMurdo, for example, it's currently -71 AMBIENT at the South Pole, and the fuel freezes around -50.  I also heard a rumor that she needs to be on a plane that has the ability to pressurize the cabin, and not all the aircraft down here have that capability.

Of course I hope she is OK and gets out soon, I think the first flight down to Pole is scheduled for Tuesday, which is earlier than normal.  They will get her out as soon as is possible without risking the lives of the crew on the plane.  After next week, anyone could get out pretty much any day they needed to.

So there you have it.  Don't believe the hype, if we need to get out, they get us out as soon as possible, even if they are a warmongering, greedy corporation.

Rant over, Zisman out...