What is the name of your state? Virginia
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question.
I was working on a runway in a major metropolitan airport here in Va. It was at night and the runway was closed with all lights turned off. All FAA protocols and procedures were followed to ensure runway closure.
My crew and I were driving up the runway to head out for break and noticed an aircraft coming towards the runway. When it did not turn onto one of the taxiways and started heading towards us I got concerned and moved back down the runway to make sure the aircraft was coming to the runway or to park in an adjacent parking area close to the runway. When the aircraft turned to to enter the runway my vehicle headlights and safety light were lighting up the ****pit area. I then heard for the first time over the radio the pilot ask for permission to take off from that runway. The air traffic controller gave permission and I immediately called over the radio stating that my crew and I were on the runway. The plane stopped and the controller called back asking if I was able to move. I said yes and moved to the side and rear o the plane. Protocols state that the aircraft should have then been told to abort the take off and return to an open runway. Instead the plane got permission to continue and powered its engine to full and took off. When the engines powered to full I immediately hit the gas taking my vehicle to the very edge of the runway next to the grass hoping to avoid being killed by the back-blast. One crew member was so shaken by the incident he now works daytime again. Another is still a bit jumpy even when aircraft are far away. I myself had nightmares for that entire week and am still a bit concerned when I notice lights coming close to the runway. I still work on the runway since the job needs to be done and I, while more wary now, still have some faith that at least I will still be vigilant even if the pilots and controllers might not be. The controller did call me back after the aircraft took off to see if we were alright and said he made a mistake and we were not in trouble and it wasn't our fault and not to worry.
I did answer some questions about the incident for the FAA who are supposed to be investigating. My boss said he would look in to it also but as of yet he hasn't an nothing has been done.
So basically my question is do I have any recourse at all or do I need to wait for my employer to look into it himself. We are not employed directly by the airport but are a subcontractor.
Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question.
I was working on a runway in a major metropolitan airport here in Va. It was at night and the runway was closed with all lights turned off. All FAA protocols and procedures were followed to ensure runway closure.
My crew and I were driving up the runway to head out for break and noticed an aircraft coming towards the runway. When it did not turn onto one of the taxiways and started heading towards us I got concerned and moved back down the runway to make sure the aircraft was coming to the runway or to park in an adjacent parking area close to the runway. When the aircraft turned to to enter the runway my vehicle headlights and safety light were lighting up the ****pit area. I then heard for the first time over the radio the pilot ask for permission to take off from that runway. The air traffic controller gave permission and I immediately called over the radio stating that my crew and I were on the runway. The plane stopped and the controller called back asking if I was able to move. I said yes and moved to the side and rear o the plane. Protocols state that the aircraft should have then been told to abort the take off and return to an open runway. Instead the plane got permission to continue and powered its engine to full and took off. When the engines powered to full I immediately hit the gas taking my vehicle to the very edge of the runway next to the grass hoping to avoid being killed by the back-blast. One crew member was so shaken by the incident he now works daytime again. Another is still a bit jumpy even when aircraft are far away. I myself had nightmares for that entire week and am still a bit concerned when I notice lights coming close to the runway. I still work on the runway since the job needs to be done and I, while more wary now, still have some faith that at least I will still be vigilant even if the pilots and controllers might not be. The controller did call me back after the aircraft took off to see if we were alright and said he made a mistake and we were not in trouble and it wasn't our fault and not to worry.
I did answer some questions about the incident for the FAA who are supposed to be investigating. My boss said he would look in to it also but as of yet he hasn't an nothing has been done.
So basically my question is do I have any recourse at all or do I need to wait for my employer to look into it himself. We are not employed directly by the airport but are a subcontractor.
I would have driven over to the tower and a few words...