samosamancer OP t1_ix4v11w wrote on November 20, 2022 at 7:40 PM

Reply to comment by spinfire in Fun times: AGC (Allegheny County Airport, West Mifflin) is currently shut down due to having zero snow equipment. by samosamancer

Thank you so much for this incredible explanation! It makes perfect sense. I wasn’t trying to criticize - the controller sounded confused as well. But of course small airports/airfields would have slightly different operating parameters for situations like this, and these snow squalls have been sudden and severe.

Do you work at AGC, or are you a private or hobbyist pilot? I’d love to start taking flying lessons, and I’m kind of considering a career change since airlines are looking for FAs and/or pilots…

spinfire t1_ix4wm7d wrote on November 20, 2022 at 7:51 PM

I’m a private (hobby) pilot, I own a 1977 Cessna Cardinal RG which I keep at AGC.

I’d definitely recommend flying lessons. PFTC, the flight school at AGC, is very focused on collegiate style programs (they fit under part 141, not part 61, if that means anything to you). So it might not be a good fit for someone who is looking to take periodic lessons rather than do it all at once. I’ve never had an interest in career flying but you’re right that airlines are doing a lot of hiring right now.

At AGC, I’m pretty sure there is not an airport ops person on the field 24/7, they’re just on call and come on for emergencies after hours. But I’m not certain of that. AGC has a 24 hour control tower which is somewhat unusual for its size although there are often Labquest flights coming in and out late at night due to the Quest lab in Greentree, plus of course Stat Medevac at all hours when they are needed.

The other airports you mentioned - Rostraver and Finleyville - do not have control towers and are not attended overnight. The approach controller would have no knowledge of conditions there.

Happy to answer any other questions about learning to fly or flying in the PGH area!