Don't run packs with huffer carts unless you enjoy breathing exhaust. I did it twice. The first time there was no problem. The second time I filled the cabin with fumes that made my throat sore and my eyes water. Who knows what cocktail of carbon monoxide pyrolyzed oil it contained.

 

Never had a problem, so this is news to me. Won't do it in the future.

 

What?? Im 99.9% sure we work for the same dump, and I have never heard a THING about running the APU. Havent been "written up" by a part time ramper either. I run the APU's all spring/summer. Every leg. PCA available or not.

Until APU usage is restricted in our FOM/FSM, I will continue to do so. Im sure the idiot(s) who chose to buy these PCA's sits in a well air conditioned office.

 

Something tells me that won’t work, but I agree with you.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking...I run the APU, period...unless it's 70 deg outside/less than full boat, then the PCA will work ok. Never had an issue with telling ops on the inbound "No PCA" because we're full in, full out and it's 80+ on the ramp.

All because someone made a business case for $75,000/piece PCA's and damnit, we're going to use them!

 

Fwiw for Delta. If the cabin is above 76F Delta says figure something better out which 99% of the time going to be APU ON. 320 fleet we just go turn off the air ourselves, it's a big red button that doesn't say 400Hz. The no packs and ground air simultaneously is an Airbus thing we comply with even though Delta says it hasn't seen the issue.

At 90F, considered an extreme temperature, if the cabin is not cooling quickly enough delay or suspend boarding.

No APU? A huffer cart can be used as long as Delta owns it. All of the above works fine and is used often if the APU is inop (rare on 320). Usually the problem child is an old 320 that's having bowel trouble and the APU air and ground air sucks, had that in atlanta on terminal F and we deplaned. They downed the jet anyways.

The 321 sucks on ground air so that's usually running 35 min prior to push until everyone is off. It can keep cabin at 70. On most 320s we run APU during single engine taxi because its required and some heavy flights we takeoff with it on and running the packs.

That's the APU policy as they write it, but the company wants APUs worked less, and ground air right to 5 prior to actual push. Some snap to and take it as a mission to save money over passenger comfort and they don't start the apu until push and never use it on the way in. The rest of us love taking good care of the wonderful people who fund the operation and we aim to keep them cool.

 

Done it dozens of times over the years on 27,37,57. Never had a problem. I do get nasty fumes from cranky old belt loaders exhaust.

Plus, using the huffer for packs gives me advance warning if it isn't going to handle the engine start load, which runs about 50% at my airline.

 

Thread revival….

My commute is mainly 757 with the occasional 737, mostly the widget. I’d say 8/10 times in cruise flight (ground is always hot and this is all seasons) the pax in the surrounding seats and I are roasting. I have to ask the FAs to call up front so they can crank the temp down. Any 75/73 drivers have any info? Is this AC design or crew just selecting it too hot. But it seems to be consistant. Only asking because it’s frustrating waking up from a nap sweating. Well I’m on a commute, sweating and have nothing else to occupy my time so figured I’d ask around.

 

commuting is a choice.

 

Both airplanes have great AC in flight. All we can do is what the FAs tell us, and most complaints come from exit row passengers that are always cold