I read your first line and thought you were talking about keeping the engine running for a few minutes and pushing it that much closer to failing. Then I read the rest of the post.

So which would you rather put closer to failing? The APU or one of the engines?

Not that I think your way of rationalizing this has much if any logic to it due to maintenance inspection programs, but really, if it was actually that simple, wouldn't you want the crank up that APU and save the engine another 60 seconds of running?

 

I think that was published BEFORE our new bend over and take it CPA. I wonder how that number works out now.

 

Neither. We plug in ground power and ask for a air conditioning cart. Sometimes we get lucky.

My experience has been that APUs fail at a much higher rate than engines.
ie I've never had an engine failure at Comair but have operated many times with a defered APU.

 

You had better brush up on your V1 Cut skills as I think you just jinxed yourself.

 

Yikes! Didn't see that coming.

Save me Jeebus!

 

I read several of the replies (and I'll admit that I didn't read all of them as closely as I probably should have) and here is my response.

Do I get an incentive by not running the APU? The answer is, "Yes." When I am at a hub with cameras pointed at me and/or management walking around - my incentive is not getting that telephone call as to why the APU was running when it wasn't that hot out. Do I get reimbursed for the fuel savings? No.

You talk about people being furloughed, etc. Bear with me for a minute. Did you ever stop to think that whatever mainline you are flying for (i.e. United, USAir, etc) is furloughing their pilots because the budget is stretched thin? By trying to save as much money as I can when I am working, I am indirectly saving jobs. I'm not just talking about pilot jobs - I am talking about the girl in human resources that is married to a pilot, the gate agent that is dating a pilot, etc.

With that being said, I will be the first one to walk outside and ask the ramp crew if they can hook up the ground air. I do this while the APU is RUNNING!. The last thing I want is some elderly passenger who has lost the ability to thermoregulate their body temperature to pass out (yes, I have some medical training). At my company, we are not allowed to leave the aircraft with the APU running. Hooking up the ground air not only helps out my passengers and saves money - it keeps the aircraft somewhat cool for the next crew.

Do what you have to do. With the exception of several stations, I always start the APU prior to arriving at the gate (I don't want someone walking into a running engine). If power and air are hooking up, I shut the APU off. Unless is unbearable in the cabin or if the flight attendants need it for water pressure, I hardly ever start the APU more than 10 minutes prior to departure. Take a look at mainline - they do the same thing. Its well past the time that we should start following the procedures of mainline. This is why we are sometimes looked down upon by mainline pilots - our lack of professionalism.

Just use some common sense. Don't run the APU to try to "prove a point to management." In the end, we all end up paying if we operate in this manner.

 

Once again, this thread is not about using the APU as a political tool. This is about using the APU when it's too hot or cold and not being uncomfortable for one second longer than necessary, when there is no incentive to do so. FOCUS PEOPLE.

 

I totally agree, but there are still some people that don't give a flying you-know-what and they find any company procedure to prove a point. These are the people that just let the APU run for hours and these are the people that won't look at cruise charts and ultimately fly the aircraft as fast as possible (with a huge fuel burn) even if the computer shows that you will be tremendously early.

 

Again, this whole thread is ridiculous.
If crew or pax are uncomfortable, hot or cold, start the APU. If it is 65 degrees outside with a nice breeze and low humidity, and ground power is available, leave it off. Simple as that.

 

OK, son , here's what ya do, just reach over and twist the tail on that RJ's APU and when he asks tell'em tonight....he's takin' the fat one too