# How do tv station reporters and crew get to work on very icy or snow days? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 16, 2015, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866 "2015-02-16T22:53:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_umlaut_for_U)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/21 "2015-02-17T16:58:14Z")
Family member was a TV news reporter in the frozen wastelands up nort’. 4-WD vehicle, and extra clothes at work. Don’t remember him ever getting stuck at home. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/22 "2015-02-17T16:58:42Z")
I work for a news organization (although not the TV operation), and we officially have a no-snow-days policy. Because our operation is not on TV, we can work from home if we have to, but we have to work. If you can’t, you drive yourself, you call the office and ask them to send a truck for you, you sleep overnight in the newsroom—you do whatever it takes. Oh, and no, I’ve never heard of news reporters getting special bad-weather-driving training. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/23 "2015-02-17T17:01:08Z")
> [@JustinC](#): > > If the conditions are too bad they film from helicopters and reporters in a studio commentate. What does this mean? What is a “studio commentate?” ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/24 "2015-02-17T17:10:08Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > What does this mean? What is a “studio commentate?” “Reporters” is the subject modified by the prepositional phrase “in a studio.” “Commentate” is the predicate verb. Took me half a minute to figure it out too. ---
**Author:** ![trmptgn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@trmptgn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trmptgn)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/25 "2015-02-17T17:15:30Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > The answer is that you plan for it from your choice of vehicle (a 4-wheel drive SUV with snow tires can get you almost anywhere if you allocate enough time for it). You have pre-made plans for times when your kids’ school is canceled and you leave really early if conditions are that bad. Massachusetts has closed the entire state twice in the past two years so that the snow plows wouldn’t have to deal with unneeded complications from traffic or accidents but people with critical jobs are still allowed to drive if you have to. It isn’t fun but I have never seen routes in the Boston area that are completely impassible to a suitably equipped vehicle and a competent snow driver. You may to go really slow so that you and your vehicle don’t get hurt but you will get there eventually if you allocate a really generous amount of time. A friend of mine is a director for various TV networks in the St. Louis area and this sums up his approach. He has a capable 4x4 beast of a truck and always knows the weather well in advance. If it looks like the drive will take longer, he leaves earlier - sometimes hours earlier. He’s been late just once. It is not tolerated for any reason, and they expect you to be an adult and figure it out. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/26 "2015-02-17T18:29:09Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > “Reporters” is the subject modified by the prepositional phrase “in a studio.” **“Commentate” is the predicate verb.** Took me half a minute to figure it out too. An improper back-formation, in fact. :rolleyes: The [existing verb “comment” works fine](http://www.dailywritingtips.com/is-that-even-a-word/) and is considerably less cringe-worthy. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/27 "2015-02-17T18:43:08Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > An improper back-formation, in fact. :rolleyes: The [existing verb “comment” works fine](http://www.dailywritingtips.com/is-that-even-a-word/) and is considerably less cringe-worthy. Whether or not one or the other is improper (a dubious term when you’re discussing language) or cringe-worthy, I think “commentate” is about 150 years old, so I’m not going to chide JustinC for using it. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/28 "2015-02-17T18:45:53Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > The answer is that you plan for it from your choice of vehicle (a 4-wheel drive SUV with snow tires can get you almost anywhere if you allocate enough time for it). This. 100%. The county I work in has 3 major ski resorts. You don’t not come to work because there is too much snow. You’d be a laughingstock. Now with that said, I’m a programmer for the county. I really don’t have deadlines so missing a day now and then is now big deal. But in 23 years on the job, driving over the Continental Divide every day, and living on a road that is one of the last ones to get plowed, I’ve called in twice because I was worried I may get stuck. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/29 "2015-02-17T18:48:55Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > The weatherman doesn’t look cold, yet he’s right out there in just a suit and tie! Or local katv field reporters are out there in parkas freezing their buns off. They’ve been giving really good street condition reports. The anchors and meteorologists are the ones hanging out in the studios. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/30 "2015-02-17T20:02:55Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > The answer is that you plan for it from your choice of vehicle (a 4-wheel drive SUV with snow tires can get you almost anywhere if you allocate enough time for it). Another thing to remember is that the media usually inflates the severity of the weather conditions. Back a few years ago when the Super Bowl was in Arlington at Cowboys Stadium, the news would have you believe that roads were all but impassable, and that nothing was moving anywhere. I went to work every day- 9 miles each direction. Since my company has one “personal time off” bucket and at the time, rather illiberal work from home policies, and we were expecting our first child later that summer, I decided that I’d rather just go in. Even a 2WD pickup with all-season tires will often do the job if you’re careful and drive slowly. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/31 "2015-02-17T22:08:28Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Or local katv field reporters are out there in parkas freezing their buns off. They’re not paid enough to be able to afford warm clothing? ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/32 "2015-02-17T22:26:12Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > Crown Vics and the various other big RWD sedans that are typical cop cars are just fine in the snow with a good set of winter tires. If it were that big of a deal, there’s plenty of large FWD and AWD alternatives that the departments in snowy climates would be flocking to. But it isn’t, and they aren’t. No one changes tires for the winter. And Crown Vic suck in the snow. My cite is my near death experience last night. But like I said, during storms they put all the 4wd Explorers on the road and sit out the crown vics. Crown Vics are on the way out anyway. I still have one because I’m a detective and we get the cast offs. ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/33 "2015-02-17T22:42:52Z")
My husband was working for a university in 1978, and we had had some big storms. A lot of the guys couldn’t get in, the roads hadn’t been plowed, but they wanted him to come in. They sent people out in big four wheel drive vehicles and picked him up. He packed a bag in case he didn’t get home, and they took him away. So they may have vehicles and go out and get them, or they may sleep around the station and not go home. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/34 "2015-02-17T22:59:03Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > No one changes tires for the winter. And Crown Vic suck in the snow. My cite is my near death experience last night. But like I said, during storms they put all the 4wd Explorers on the road and sit out the crown vics. Crown Vics are on the way out anyway. I still have one because I’m a detective and we get the cast offs. Well, the problem is the department being too cheap/lazy to change to winter tires then, not the cars. Plenty of northern state highway patrols use mostly RWD cars like the Crown Vics or Chargers and are still able to work in any kind of winter weather. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/35 "2015-02-18T01:32:15Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > Well, the problem is the department being too cheap/lazy to change to winter tires then, not the cars. Plenty of northern state highway patrols use mostly RWD cars like the Crown Vics or Chargers and are still able to work in any kind of winter weather. Maybe it’s still a thing in the Great White North but I don’t know anyone who changes their tires for the winter. It’s all weather radials here. Not since my father stopped putting on studded snow tires in the 70s. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/36 "2015-02-18T01:36:18Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > There are a bunch of different jobs that require people to be there regardless of the weather or other eventualities. Doctors/nurses/EMTs/utility workers and other types of critical support personnel are just some examples. I am in charge of IT support for a facility that makes and distributes surgical kits, some of which are critically important to the waiting patients all over the world, and I don’t have the option of not going to work either just because it snows. > > The answer is that you plan for it from your choice of vehicle (a 4-wheel drive SUV with snow tires can get you almost anywhere if you allocate enough time for it). You have pre-made plans for times when your kids’ school is canceled and you leave really early if conditions are that bad. Massachusetts has closed the entire state twice in the past two years so that the snow plows wouldn’t have to deal with unneeded complications from traffic or accidents but people with critical jobs are still allowed to drive if you have to. It isn’t fun but I have never seen routes in the Boston area that are completely impassible to a suitably equipped vehicle and a competent snow driver. You may to go really slow so that you and your vehicle don’t get hurt but you will get there eventually if you allocate a really generous amount of time. > > Mass General hospital had a problem recently resulting from literal gridlock that crippled the area as a secondary effect of heavy snow in Boston. Relief employees couldn’t get in so they just put the hospital itself on lockdown so that essential employees that were already there had to stay to make sure the positions were covered until the gridlock abated. I work at a different Boston hospital and, while I don’t any patient care, we officially have a no-snow-day policy. It’s relaxed some in my department, but there are a LOT of essential personnel in a hospital. Cleaning crews, dietary, radiology, the people who check you in, the people who take your blood and then the people who run the tests on it, the people who wheel you to X-Ray…there’s just not an option. In addition to the strategies that **Shagnasty** mentioned above, we will find room in the hospital for people to stay over. There are also 2 hotels close by where staff can stay on their own dime if they prefer. My VP got the department to pay for me to stay over last Sunday, because I was running orientation the next day. The crowd in the lobby as I was leaving at 6:30am were primarily hospital workers. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/37 "2015-02-18T02:55:10Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Maybe it’s still a thing in the Great White North but I don’t know anyone who changes their tires for the winter. It’s all weather radials here. Not since my father stopped putting on studded snow tires in the 70s. Well, yeah, that’s because most people stopped driving RWD barges. FWD is better at getting moving in the snow, and so since they can usually get by in the most basic “point A to point B” sense people tend not to bother. The typical RWD car layout tends to brake and maneuver better in the snow (and in general, which is why the cops like them) but they do really need the winter tires to avoid spinning the wheels when accelerating from a dead stop. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/38 "2015-02-18T03:52:23Z")
My friends who work in a local hospital were transported by volunteers by snowmobiles when the roads were impassable. During the Blizzard of '78, my hub and all of his 4WD friends were out helping get emergency people to work and delivering medicines and groceries to the elderly. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/39 "2015-02-18T04:03:39Z")
I haven’t read every post, but here in Ontario most people have winter tires and we have the infrastructure in place to plough and salt the roads. School buses are cancelled a few times a winter but nothing else shuts down because of the weather. It’s winter: it’s Canada. We make it to work regardless. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2015, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866/40 "2015-02-18T09:22:33Z")
Not winter stuff, but our tropical island 9-1-1 center comes with a bunkroom with two sets of bunk beds for those hurricane related sleepovers. We have a plan to call the staff in ahead of a storm to ride it out and take turns working. No all weather tires are going to make it safe to commute in the midst of a hurricane. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-tv-station-reporters-and-crew-get-to-work-on-very-icy-or-snow-days/712866.md?page=3)