Originally Posted by
jsled
I mean take an a/c if its REALLY HOT outside without APU air. I had a discussion with the ramp, they just didn't follow my direction. What do you mean "let them pull the air"? Do you go down on the ramp under threat of violence (H&K out and ready) if they pull the air?? C'mon man. You don't know when they are gonna decide to pull the air. They are supposed to ask, but what if they don't? You have 150 peeps sweltering. There is a time when an inop APU (air) is downright dangerous on a hot, humid summer day. Ain't gonna do it. They can fix it.
On a hot day, you'll know they are pulling the air as soon as they turn it off. Yes, if they pulled it that early I would go down there and tell them to turn it back on. If they refused, I'd deplane. That simple. I don't know what the old 757's are like running the pacs off the engines at idle but the NG's cool down nicely once an engine is started.
The cooling of the cabin is an issue, but if you take time to coordinate with the ground crew, it can be done with minimal inconvenience. As much as the passengers and commuting pilots it back dislike being without air for a couple of minutes, they would much prefer it to canceling a flight or delaying for an extended period.