I always like having extra fuel. That's one of the reasons why I single engine taxi everywhere and try to not leave the APU running. However, the moment it gets hot, that APU is on (or stays on) with Pack 1 off. Sometimes I laugh at the way the FOM is worded. "turn on the APU 5 minutes prior to departure time" but you can push 10 minutes early. Guess that means to block out more than 5 minutes early you're supposed to get the huffer cart even though the APU works. Wouldn't want to waste gas, you know.

 

but we always do have extra fuel! The dispatchers here fuel very liberally.

If it’s over 70 degrees on a turn it’s not coming off unless we are all coming off the airplane... which brings up another point.

Do you want me to leave the apu on during a quick turn with a crew swap? I will, but your butt needs to make its presence known. If I’m ready to take my bags off and you aren’t at the bottom of the jet bridge I’m turning off the apu. I’m not going on a quest to find you.

 

They got their hands slapped by Alpo for not following proper IJA protocol so now they have to run the entire reverse seniority list every time they junior person for trips. It's in the contract

 

Anybody ever get the generic login to work for the id90 page listed on the ALPA app to work? not sure want our 3 letter IATA code is on there but trying to list for sun country on there and I setup an account but haven't received an activation email yet so..... thought I would try this before I just call or list at the airport

 

Pretty sure it's just CP. If you go to the website it lets you type in the airline name either way.

Edit: Also there isn't a generic listing you have to have your own account using your employee number.

 

Can any of you PHX folks give me a PM, I have a few questions.

 

 

For the most part, I'm with you. I've had a few times where the dispatchers have been a little optimistic with taxi fuel and then give no hold fuel and then SEA center decides to make you do S turns across the state of Oregon at Mach 0.77 at FL240. Or going LAX-SFO and you get a lengthy wheels up time that you discover after you push and you can't shut down. I usually treat that extra taxi gas as a bit more contingency or hold fuel, but I've had times where I'm already below planned when the taxi ends up longer than planned (and yes, I single engine taxi every flight whenever possible).

I'm with you on leaving the APU running on turns. I also have zero problem firing it up if the airplane hasn't been fueled yet. I know that starting 50 lbs lower on fuel won't change what the fueler brings the airplane up to, so I might as well use it for passenger comfort.

If there's ground power at the gate, I'll glance up the jet bridge to see if anyone on the other crew is there before turning off the APU. If there's no ground power, I will go looking in the gate area for the other crew before we're done deplaning to see if anyone is there and ask one of them to come down so I can leave it on and set them up for success. Got to set up the next guy for success.

 

So call and get more fuel if you're doing LAX to SFO and the weather sucks in SFO. Or .. any high arrival volume time to SEA though really if you're doing S turns and you don't have the gas, tell them. Or go somewhere and shut both down, and you'll be burning all of 300 an hour on the APU. But I don't know why you'd leave the gate with less fuel than you want.... you're the one signing the release.

 

Speaking of APU, Finished a trip a few days ago and saw the plane was going to Texas in 52 minutes. Kept the APU running until the last pax was off. Went to the jetway and saw no crew. Okay I have a commute back east to catch. Turned off the APU and did secured the plane with the batts and emergency lights. As I’m taking my bags off the plane, CA pops in and said “Aww you shut down the APU?” I’m not going on a wild goose chase to look for the other crew. If you want the APU to stay running, get down a bit earlier. I have no problem leaving it running and even popping my head out to check but that’s about as far as I go. I just told the guy sorry I have a commute to catch and didn’t see anyone. Then I peaced out.