I got my deployment dates!!!

[Zak]

Ok thanks, I've been asking this question quite a bit and everyone has generally said the same thing. Don't bring too much so that makes me feel better . They are letting us bring 150lbs this season which from what I hear is new. The 150lbs is what scared me because that is A LOT of luggage it gave me the idea that I needed a lot of stuff and if it's the wrong stuff you'll die and freeze to death haha.
How long does it usually take for a package to arrive there like in case i forget something and want it sent down?

~Zak

[Alan]

When I summered at Pole, it seemed that package mail normally took two to three weeks to arrive, but I always figured a month just to be sure.

It should be a bit quicker at McMurdo during the summer, but I would still figure two or three weeks.

However, note that large packages do not get priority, and may take longer. If you really need something quick and it is small, ask someone to mail it in a small package or - better yet - a large envelope, separately from any large items you may have requested.

[Zak]

Alright sounds good!
Thanks!

~Zak

[Zak]

I just got a new iPod Touch which comes with wifi I was just wondering if I'll be able to connect to the wifi in Mcmurdo?

~Zak

[Alan]

WiFi is available at Pole, but it's pretty spotty at McMurdo. In fact, internet access in general is spotty at McMurdo, as there is limited bandwidth, an awful lot of people during the summer, and a lot of science being done which gets priority for the limited bandwidth. You shouldn't have any trouble sending and receiving email or browsing the web, but you may have to compete for access to a computer terminal or a hookup for your laptop. There are plans to upgrade the system, but it won't be immediate.

In any case, I haven't messed around with iPods, but doesn't that WiFi connect to your computer's WiFi rather than to a larger network? I could be wrong.

And maybe I'll see you as I'm leaving, but in the confusion and chaos of arrival I won't bet on it. I'll be one of the handful of winterovers leaving on the 9th, though, all wearing our Big Red parkas - just like you will be - so who knows?

[Zak]

The iPod can connect to any WiFi but if there isn't much it might not even matter.
Well I guess I might not see you but anything could happen. I'm just so excited!! I leave in a week =D

~Zak

[fast eddie]

Alan-What do they fly in to McMurdo these days on main body??? I flew in on the 1st C-5 flight they made into MacTown, after that I think it was C-141s...do they still use C-5 at all???

[Alan]

Flights to McMurdo are almost exclusively C-17s and C-130s. (Flights from McMurdo to Pole are LC-130s - that is, a ski-equipped C-130, the Hercules.)

There are exceptions: Twin Otters, Baslers, etc. - but passengers don't generally come in on those, except from field camps. Also, late last summer there was one civilian airliner - an Airbus - that was contracted to fly in and pick up a whole lot of people at once. I can't recall the story on that, but it was definitely unusual. They had stewardesses and everything.