Originally Posted by
p1ayn
here is my addition to that. I am on a layover right now and ironically my FO told me his last Capt. would not start APU till Pax were boarded.
My theory and philosophy is this; I do NOT sweat, nor does my crew AND ESPECIALLY my passengers! I will crank the APU anytime the comfort level deems necessary...PERIOD! Using common sense of course for example, hot day, in a desent getting slammed down at idle with 50 pax, I will turn apu on for pax in back.
As an FO many years ago, I had a captain who would not budge on this issue. I literally did what you did, gathered stuff and worked from inside till 10 minutes out. Want to save money; run an efficient operation!
In the past, I had gotten off the airplane because a Capt would not start the APU until 20 prior and it was 100 plus in the flight deck. Needless to say, about 3 minutes of him looking at me out the window on the air conditioned jetbridge brought him out to ask what I was doing. I explained that when it was cool enough for the passengers, it will be cool enough for me to come back in and work.
The APU was promptly started.