Originally Posted by BMEP100

Since this thread has wandered from the original "throwing gas on embers theme" I'll comment with a useful experience. I had a 757 last summer with inop APU air. It was well over 90 outside and cabin was in the mid 80's when I got on 40 min before push and no pax on board yet. Ground air was on, but as anyone knows, ground air is worthless on a 757 in the south during summer. I approached my FO and F/A's and ramp superv. with a plan to which they agreed. I told the agent to collect every carry-on they might possibly need to gate check- and send them to the ramp. Once that was done, and the belly doors were closed, we started the left engine at the gate and boarded. Cost me like 18 minutes gas at idle, the temperature was comfortable and we got everyone to SFO within DOT. A little common sense and can do attitude made those passengers day, as opposed to taking the opportunity to shove it up mgt's &@#^$. So long as it is safe, I always like to look at these things as if I were riding in back to my granny's 90th birthday reunion.