Tod MaffinCanadian Commentator, From Far and Wide · Emotional Support Canadian

We are evacuating the airport. But you should be fine in that HUGE METAL TUBE! :-)

21 May 2013 · 1 min

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0:55

In this recorded airport announcement, the speaker explains that flashing strobe lights on the terminal indicate nearby lightning, triggering a safety rule that requires ramp crews to seek shelter and prohibiting outdoor work. As a result, passengers must endure a weather‑related delay that could last from a few minutes up to an indeterminate period, with an update promised in 10–15 minutes. The speaker also notes that take‑off clearance will not be granted for approximately 35 minutes, which may offset the delay. The tone is informational and reassuring, aiming to keep passengers comfortable while conveying operational constraints caused by the storm.

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Here at the airport, you'll see that the strobe lights, anyone by a window on the buildings, are flashing. And that's an indicator for all the ramp crews that they must seek shelter, as it were. They're not allowed to be outdoors. That's a workplace safety rule because it's obviously hazardous being around big metal airplanes as lightning might be in the area. So we're unfortunately going to have to wait that out. It could be as little as 5 minutes or as long as, well, who knows. It depends on the storm tracking movement here. So we'll keep you as comfortable as we can. I'll give you an update in 10 or 15 minutes. If that is going to be any longer than that. And just a reminder too, we were not going to be allowed to take off for nearly another 35 minutes, so that certainly buys us some time anyway. We were going to push back a bit early. We may still very well just meet that time, so I don't think it's necessarily at this stage going to, going to hurt our cause. And as I said, we'll keep you updated as new information becomes available. Thanks.