Drivers advised to stay off the roads during snowstorm

Good lord, it is called WINTER people. If it snows it snows, stop being children about this and deal with it. Last winter when we had the big storm it caused massive traffic, cause it was SNOWING! Of course if there are blizzard like conditions and everyone is on the road home after work there will be delays. The plows can't plow because of the traffic.

God, you people are foolish

How can anyone forget the incredible "gridlock" commute to get home on that afternoon storm last year!!

Any state or city employee deemed non-essential should grab a shovel or broom and spend 2 hours tomorrow helping neighbors, clearing side walks, clearing catch basins, etc. They would still be netting roughly 6 hours of pay (i.e., our tax dollars) to sit around and get an early start to the weekend. Especially when you consider that tomorrow is probably the last day of the working year for a large number of these non-essential workers.

For Deval to wait until Friday at 5AM to make a decision on whether businesses should tell their employees to sstay home is too LATE! In last years storm it took me 2 hours to go from Cambridge to Medford...I was so nauseous from the car fumes...I then checked into the Hyatt because there was 5 hour bak-ups on 93. My prediction: Tomorrow will be a repeat of that!

snowstorm

With another storm possibly barreling down on the region, Governor Deval Patrick may urge all non-essential government employees to stay home tomorrow.

Don't be ignorant, it's not the fact that "this is New England"......it's that there are more cars on the road than ever before in history. Gridlock is essentially a complicated math formula of the average speed of travelers vs. how many are on the roads. And when you combine x-factors such as numerous accidents that back up roads, ESPECIALLY when they are essential routes like 90, 93, and 95.....it will be absolute HELL for tomorrow's afternoon commute. Make your decisions now managers and urge your workers to telecommute if you need them that badly, it's probably the best holiday bonus most of us will see.

If they are non-essential why are they needed in the first place?

As someone who sat in traffic for 8 and a half hours last year (three of them in Waltham), I really think that employers should take the initiative to let their employees stay home. There's no need for some of us to work on a Friday right before Christmas, when there's really nothing to do anyway. It's nice that some are closing early, but the result is that ALL of the business will let people out at the same time, exactly like last year, in the height of the storm. For what? A few hours of work. It's just not worth it.

Tis the season.

Yikes! I'm leaving work right now!

thank god we have James E Stevenson to straighten us out, he's so smart

btw, gfy, Jimmy

at least it takes a decent snowfall to shut down boston. pittsburgh is a disaster if more than three inches falls overnight.

Given no other comments had even been posted yet, does James Stevenson think it's foolish/childish for forecasters to give people a heads up about the probable conditions so that they can try and plan accordingly (i.e. leave work early or stay home if they can, gas up the car in advance if they can't)?

Well if people would learn how to drive in this stuff and people who are scared to drive in it stay the hell off the road there would be no problems just some slow downs.

Unemployment is so high right now that people should be begging to go to work. Suck it up and go to work. Geez!

If you people had jobs that actually mattered, then you wouldn't say let's just stay home. You cant expect business to run with nobody there. I drove back from New Jersey in that storm 10 hours to New Brittian CT. Stayed at a LaQuinta. I for one will be at work, because things have to get done. It is winter, what do you think people in NH, ME, VT, upstate NY do when they have a foot of snow? they deal with it. like you should.

Well, like Maisie, I too was stuck at the height of last years gridlock in Waltham, so we definitely have a different perspective than someone like James E Stevenson. The problem is simple, as a few of you have said, the plows can't do their job because of rush hour so anyone that does not have to work tomorrow should stay home and reduce the traffic by as much as possible. What a joke that was last year...I am gonna start drinking now.

This year will be different. Instead of waiting until 1:00 PM, all businesses will let their people go at noon.

Then the gridlock will start.

LOL @ #7

Couldn't possible agree more. Tax and Spend Massachusetts!! No on Q1!!! PFFT!!

i have to drive to NY for christmas, I think i am going to leave now.. what should I bring with me for survival?

It's predicted to be a moderate snowstorm. We're New Englanders for God's sake. Shall we all go screaming into the dark night?

Let's build an Arc with skis on it then we can load all the non essentials in there two by two and we'll throw in the Turnpike Authority while were at it - clean this place up in one giant sweep.

It's snow people - get back to work. Oh, maybe I should too and stop reading blogs on company time...

snowstorm = drinkinnn

Is it just me or does anyone else think all "non-essential" employees be asked to stay home everyday? By definition they are not essential to gov't operations.

in cambridge couple a years ago, big blizzard at night, hit the car radio for conditions - all that i could find was a clear channel from chicago. criminey!

James... just curious... Who is exactly is foolish? The writer of the article cautioning folks about the bad weather? The thousands of people who were stuck in traffic last year because the intensity of the winter storm surprised everyone, including weathercasters? Yes, we live in New England and should be well equipped to deal with winter weather. But sometimes, people have no choice but to be stuck because their employers are unable or unwilling to let them go ahead of the bad weather. Maybe the foolish one is the guy who anonymously berates people on an internet message board.

Spook Street!

We should all move to NH and Vermont and Maine, and get elected into the gov't, we would have the whole year off with all the snow they get up there. I wonder if it will snow again next year? What did they do in the blizzard of 1977? How could they let that happen last year after the blizzard of 1977, they should have been watching, people don't know how to deal with snow and so our government needs to tell us. Does anyone have any advice on walking in snow, looking at snow? I just want to snow what to do?

here we go again. last year it took me 2 hours just to get off the Umass University Campus because they let us go at the same time. Do you really know how many people work here, let alone the rest of worcester. I say stay home and wrap presents and do your baking that you haven't done yet

Big deal. Its a foot of snow. I used to walk to school through a foot of snow...uphill...both ways!

Remember to pack FOOD, water and (diapers) for traffic gridlock and maybe "traction" sand/kitty litter. Flashlights. Shovel. Extra gloves, scaper, blanket. Face it: you are not as essential as you thought. Get off the roads. Don't put it all in the trunk...

Try getting your uptight boss, who's trying to please his/her uptight boss, to make the decision to let you WORK from home rather than giving you the standard company line "use your own discretion" ... that translates into "see you tomorrow"!

I agree with comment #7 if they are non-essential lay them off to save tax payers money and balance the budget.

has anyone noticed how wrong the weather people always are here? They go nuts about 1-3 inches of snow then you wake up and there is absolutely no snow. I think they do the weather report for rt 2 and for southern NH bc they are never right about boston and points west. This is New England weather people and it is winter, 2 inches of snow should not be breaking news and dominate the newscast. I also love to ski and I hate when they say, hopefully it will miss us or turn to rain. Rain? SNow is much better then rain and people like snow it is fun, pretty around xmas and you can ski

Hey "azigah" do you understand non-essential employess? Doctors, nurses, police, firemen, etc. are essential. Are you essential? Please don't risk it, stay off the roads!!!!

And who say's New Englander's are tough people? NOT!

I am a state worker and I agree with blogger #3....If it could be properly organized and my health was o. ko - which it is now - I would be more than happy to help shovel out a nearby school, church, synagogue or whatever. I think that's an excellent idea.

Oh yea CaliGirl, we must not be tough but god forbid it rains in Cali and you all go running for cover because it messes up your hair.

If you walked all up hill in the snow, I'm curious, how's your leg's and feet now!?
Do you need medical assistance from an essential employee.

It's all Bush's fault.

Hey blogger #3, do you think all State employees are heartless?? Of course I'll help my neighbors, clean sidewalks (some towns/cities mandate you do). But if I'm stuck in traffic for 8 to 10+ hours, what kind of help am I then?! Don't get caught up in the BS about State workers, most of us have good hearts. Why even some of us start toy drives and give blood :).

The best thing I ever did was move to Florida...It's going to be in the high 70's low 80's tomorrow. I will be sitting on the beach soaking up the sunshine. Of course I will have to fly up on Monday for Christmas with the family. I'll be back in time for The Outback Bowl. I don't miss the snow, high state taxes or crooked politicians. I remeber those high heating bills in the winter too--ouch! GO RED SOX, PATRIOTS, BRUINS, CELTICS!!!

I moved here from New Jersey and I heard that snow does not phase the fine residents of the Commonwealth of MA at all. I guess I was misinformed!

Help a neighbor. Cultivate a bit of patience with one another. Throw a snowball.

The point to staying home is so that you don't get stuck and then cause other people to get stuck behind you. This is what we call gridlock. Even if you can drive well enough through some snow, if there is someone in front of you that is stuck for whatever reason, you are stuck too. So then will the cars behind yours be stuck. Snowplows and emergency vehicles can't get passed clogged lanes either. If you've had bad experiences with driving in snowstorms then you should be able to make some changes in your routine. Leave early if you can or just stay home. One day off won't kill you.

to No Taxes in Florida:
Evidently you miss our message boards though.
We'll keep our fingers crossed that we get hit with a nice storm for you when you come to visit.

Time to get creative.... people! They don't want us to drive home tomorrow so let's stay at the office until Saturday.

We can combine the company Christmas Party (you know the one that got axed because of this economic downturn) and the company sleepover party (that no one is suppose to know about).

I'll bring the chips, dips, and booze! And you all bring the sleeping bags & pj's!

D

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snowwwww

As a former Vt resident I think the difference is that the traffic is orders of magnitude less and the commute distances are much less. Here in MA I think it makes sense to telecommute tomorrow if you can - there'll be too much competition on the roads in the afternoon.

Plus people in Vt used to use this invention called snow tires. Amazing how much they help on hills and drifted snow.

looks like we are going to have a white Christmas!!!

Even Las Vegas might have a white Christmas!!!

It is snow people!!!!
I got stuck in the storm last year too, 2-3 hours for a 5 minute drive usually.
I know I will be stuck at work until 4:30 anyway

Get over it.

600 plows and sand trucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's over kill!! Come on!!!!!! It isn't like the biggest snowstorm we've ever had!!

Give me a break... it snows in the winter around here.

And to the Gov... give the taxpayers a break... optional NO PAY day off for state workers and 1/2-day for those that show up if weather looks bad.

Hey Al Gore - where's that global warming when you need it

All non-essential state personnel shouldn't report to work.

Is that a redundant statement or what?

"Back in my day.. we didn't have and snoooooowww plows! We had shovels that were made of iron! They were 100lbs and broke your back- but we LIKED it.. we LOVED it!"
This is what some grumpy narcassistic New Englanders think of themselves.

A bit of common sense- its not the amount of snow that is concerning the State- its the timing!! Its Friday before the Holidays and its coming in the afternoon. DUH!!!

So you chest-thumping snowbunnies.. The Blizzard of '78 is 30 years ago. Let it go..

I have lived all over and the "hardy" New Englanders are right up there in the "Wimp" category. Good grief. For a 4 season region the folks here are beyond belief. Dire warnings to stay off the roads. Give me a break.

It certainly doesn't help to have absolutely no leadership (this governor is the worst . He only comes out of his shell to stir traffic panic and have the entire state work force stay home. All are a bunch of Henny Penny's and none of these gobbers should be in office. They are the reason there is 20 font headlines on the website stories. "All panic, it is snowing". Wimps!

It would be nice to get power back first..!!

I'm a "non-essential" state worker. I work every day from 8:30am-5:00pm, don't abuse time, and feel like anything different would be stealing from the taxpayers. If you don't work in the state or receive hard services then it's hard to understand that we are actually people, a majority of us care about the work we do, and that like it or not somebody has to do the work. We are treated like numbers by our employer and most residents in the state, never get bonuses, and have to live with the reputation of being lazy and worthless no matter how hard we work. We get paid well and have stupid days off, but there is a trade off. We've had one or two "snow days" over the past few years.

Questions about the Celts game tomorrow night?

How many Celtic players are essential for tomorrow night's game against Chicago?
Do all "non-essential" players have to stay home?

Does this mean our starting 5 may have to go 48?

And will there be beer at the Garden or are beer vendors considered non-essential?

It's frieken snow people, it's New England, therefore SNOW HAPPENS!!!! If you can't drive in it then stay of the roads and get out of my way. To all you non-essential, slightly essential, or who thinks they are possibly essential please don't go to work because your not that important anyway. Don't forget to stock up on bread, milk, and canned goods because you may be in your houses for a whole night.

I agree with " 'tis the season" but for a different reason. Let's start something called "Traffic Santa" or "Traffic Angel". Let someone go in front of you when the traffic is merging. Lay off the horn. Give a wave of thanks if someone does the same for you. Don't tie up an intersection when you know you won't make it through the light. The traffic jams will be bad enough without a bunch of angry, self-important drivers trying to get home three seconds before they would have if they hadn't caused ten accidents on the way. I guarantee that what goes around comes around.

If people had sense they would just take the day off, and businesses would too. The world isn't going to end and no one is going to die if businesses shut down for a day. Retail is hurting though and managers will not have leeway to do that unless they get on the horn with their supervisor, regional manager etc and get the ok. Which they won't likely get because what happens is the employees will pay the cost of getting stuck and getting in an accident, while the business gets the advantage of having them in in case there are customers.
Nice is you have a job where they have the latitude and sense to just let you stay home, which is what a sensible down to earth person would do on a major snowstorm day--but some people don't have that option.

If your employer will put you up and pay for all your expenses incurred by getting stuck in gridlock etc that would be nice.

Finally a white christmas - so excited. Bring on LOTS of snow. And if you don't want an awful commute tomorrow - don't go to work. It's that simple... If you don't like winter or snow - the MOVE!!!!!!!!!!!! For the rest of us, enjoy the snow...

I actually was told to cancel the company Christmas party scheduled for tommorow at 3pm - but we are all still expected to be at work in the morning, though. I am one of those peons who has to go in and field all the phone calls from the people who are "working from home."

A big hello from the southern CA desert where we got 10-12 inches yesterday---and there are no snow plows, sanders', salters', people do not drive around with snow tires or have chains, a Red Cross shelter was setup in minutes for those caught on the roads, and alot of TV coverage etc.

Schools were let out, business's started later in the day and the sun melted the roads free----the Socal way of dealing with a snow storm

Don't forget to stock up on bread and milk. I love this state. Be safe.

I work for a delivery service. I have to work tomorrow. My shift will be during the height of the storm. Yay. I'm glad I grew up in central MA, and I have sturdy boots.

I work at Mass General Hospital as a nurse. Think maybe I should l work from home tomorrow?

I love this weather, I am from Buffalo!! When I was a kid, there was over 300 inches per year falling in the late 70's. New Englanders compain too much about this. But better the weather than the Red Sox and Celtics....

Flight delays. Check airlines.

maceus.com

- Nick Maceus

I am thinking that most non-essential state employees are the ones who do not deal directly in customer service but for the most part process a lot of what needs to get done in order to help our state run. Of course there is some waste as there is in every business, but there are many more state workers (all those who work in the trial courts just to name one division) that must go in tomorrow. The Governor is asking for businesses to help take care of their employees and keep them safe tomorrow during a bad storm. I don't know why so many people find it ridiculous that the the business of government would want to do the same for its employees.

Bring in the National Guard because it's snowing Governor!

God almighty you would think the world is coming to an end!

Learning how to drive and using your brain is something unique for people from this crazy state.

Wow...sounds like "The Realist" is a very important person...he/she must have the only job in Boston that "really matters". His workplace can't possibly function without him. In fact, the entire world may come to an end if he stays home tomorrow. So, everyone else, stay off the road so that the realist can get to work on time!!!

thank god for global warming.... stupid liberals

Why do people keep coparing Boston commute to Vt., Me., or Upstate NY? Is it the same thing? Is it similar? Is it even close?

What a delightful Christmas present! They even got snow in Las Vegas.

Non-essential state employees.......................sort of a redundancy

In states with more extensive commuter rail lines, employees can get to and from work fairly easily on snowy days. There are usually service delays, but at least no gridlock like we experienced last year.

All I hear when folks talk about extending the commuter rail lines around here is that people are frightened that their towns are going to be ruined. Or, there will be more commerce flowing into them and people will attracted to your beautiful communities which are now a convenient commute to Boston, driving the housing prices up. Sounds like a terrible idea.

How there is no commuter rail service from Boston to Waltham is a mystery to me.

I like your thinkin #48!!

I heard from a reliable source, that meteorologists expect cat sized snow flakes. I think Martial law should be declared to prevent looting and to protect the lives of countless millions.

I know that rabbit didnt cut its own hair.....I aint stupid!!!

It really is Winter and the plus is that there will be a white Christmas. What beautiful scenery for the weekend! If you are able to call in and avoid the mad rush home including travelers in from out of town, stay put and finish up those last minute Christmas chores....And think of us in GA enjoying 70 degree weather these last couple of days. People jogging in shorts and heat turned off makes for nice saving on the fuel -but we too will be getting a cold spell and maybe my tulip bulbs will make it to the spring to blossom....I miss New England but if I see another icy day with snow again, it will be too soon. I miss the ocean and my family and friends but love it in the North GA hills.....Come on down and see your tax dollars at work with the SPLOST program- great funding for libraries- open on Sundays too- parks, schools, etc. AND NO SNOW!

God, save my driveway!

#43, How do you like those hurricanes and hanging chads in Florida?

I am not a tough New Englander because I don't want to sit in 6 hours of traffic???????? Wow, some people are too funny.

OMG it hasn't snowed yet but everyone is freaking out. WE LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND. Hello. Lets grow some and get over it. We know it snows in New England We know a lot of people have SUV's so why cancel school before snowfall. I hope it rains. Then I can laugh at all the taxpayers money being wasted. NO SNOW NO SCHOOL. What a joke.

495 sucks on a good day. I'm declaring myself non essential and staying home.

If I don't show up to work tomorrow, I won't get paid. Or I'll have to use personal / vacation time. I'm sure my company won't offer me a day off with pay. If the Governor thinks state employees should stay home, they should do so without pay. Or they could use one of the outrageous number of personal days they get to amass.

for every person who sat on here talking about how new englanders are saposed to be tough enough to deal with it blah, blah, blah... you're obviously not from WORCESTER, where school has been out for a week and people are about to be dealing with a foot of snow when they dont even have a warm house to sleep in because theres no POWER. so yeah the day should be granted off of work, because sorry to people like "the realist" but saying that things need to be done and that people should suck it up and get in their cars sounds stupid. How are you going to tell people that going to work is worth risking their lives? its not. So why dont people who dont know what their talking about just not talk, like caligirl, you obviously live in california so why are you posting on our BOSTON blog. find a california blog or come deal with some ice storms and snow storms and being without power for over a week.

Individuals, employers and the Government are permitted to plan for this heavily precedented situation!
Northeasterers know what's coming, and tend to make the best of the situation.
If you are new to the area, there will be snow, cold, wind, extra traffic and some businesses will close. Wear boots, layers and gloves, and get to work. Good things happen on snow days.

I like to get naked and run like a chicken in snow.

sno, no work . . . simple. ya go skiing. it is what we in the east do. been doing it for 40 years. its not a flood or lava its sno. love it or leave it. the economy is sucking wind so hard now it makes since that we all take two-weeks off and go ski.

i remember sitting on mass ave in cambridge for 3 hrs to go about 1 mile ! last year dec 13 th what a nightmare goof luck to all friday bring a good cd!

Whoo Hoo Snow!!

BrainsMcGurk - we're not phased at all, so no, you weren't misinformed.

Unless of course you were informed that New Englanders don't get fazed by snow, in which case you were.

As for winter and tomorrow's storm, I have to say, winter is really the only time I miss Chicago. Sure, it's colder, and snowier (woo lake effect!), but the city sure knows what to do with snow (i.e., get rid of it!).

It also astounds me how fee people in this area actually know anything about driving in snow.

#17,
I was in NY too, but instead of driving 10 hours to the "La Quinta", I checked into Mandarin Oriental and enjoyed myself. Sealed up a $1M deal over the phone and called it a day.

I sort of like my way better than yours.

I lived in New England all but the last 6 years of my life...those years were spent living in Virginia. I can recall we had flurries once (about 1 snowflake deep) it took me 3 hours to drive 11 miles. I thought to myself...good grief these folks can't drive in the rain how can I expect them to drive well when there are a few flakes blowing about? Folks, back off on the State workers, the non-essential employees etc. Stay off the roadways, keep yourselves safe no matter who you work for. Allow the essential employees do their jobs. ( Plows and sanders) And the next time you see one thank him/her for keeping you safe for your families

It's global warming! I mean climate change! Run! Ruuuuuun! The climate is chaaaaaaaaaaaanging!

it's all Bush's fault.

Snow + traffic + yuppies who think there SUV can stop on a dime on ice = the reason we are having this discussion :P
It's a traffic issue not a snow issue

It's just snow people, we do live in New England this is not the first time we have delt with this.