Snow Plow Drivers Wishing Old Man Winter Would Return
CHICAGO (CBS) -- So far this season, there hasn't been much snow, certainly not enough for people whose livelihood depends on it.
Joe McManaman runs Glacier Plowing in McHenry, and bought a new truck and new plow this year.
"We try to buy salt in bulk. It's cheaper that way for us. Basically, we're sitting on a mound of salt that we have not been able to use yet," he said.
So it goes in the life of a snow plowing company.
"Obviously, we cannot force it to snow, although it would be nice," he said. "People always give me a little bit of an angry eye when I say 'Come on, snow, snow, snow.'"
The Chicago area did get a heavy snowstorm in late November, but has had only one other day with measurable snow since then, as December has been especially mild, leaving McManaman and other snow plow businesses with little to do.
"Obviously, it's been unseasonably warm, which obviously puts a dampener on us doing what we're getting contracted out to do," he said.
Glacier Plowing works on contracts on a per-storm basis, so the more snow, the better he does, but McManaman said he's willing to take the good with the bad.
When the snow does fly, he's more than ready to go play in it.
"It's enjoyable to me. It's peaceful. I have fun doing it, so they always say to make sure that you enjoy what you do, and you love what you do," he said.
Mcmanaman said he's still hoping for better weather – better for him, anyway – but he doesn't second-guess his profession. He said he can't imagine doing anything else.