Originally Posted by BMEP100 (Post 2533462)

Sometimes there is a work around, if you are so inclined to try something outside the box.

Twice in IAH in the last 5 years I've had a jet with inop APU that would not cool down on the gate in the summer time.

Hot sunny day, VFR all the way to destination (domestic).

Ordered extra 1000 lbs gas.

Told gate if they want the plane to depart, to,collect all carry-on that might be gate checked and send them down prior to boarding.

Once the bellies were loaded and closed up, we would start right engine at gate, cool down jet, board, push, crossbleed, depart.

Gate and ramp agreed. Added about 20 minutes to departure dance at gate.

Everybody happy,... including flight attendants who didn't have sweat stained necks during boarding.

Unfortunately, Boeing did not design the 57 to be cooled with ground air on a sunny day when it's above 85 and humid.

Originally Posted by BMEP100 (Post 2533462)

Sometimes there is a work around, if you are so inclined to try something outside the box.

Twice in IAH in the last 5 years I've had a jet with inop APU that would not cool down on the gate in the summer time.

Hot sunny day, VFR all the way to destination (domestic).

Ordered extra 1000 lbs gas.

Told gate if they want the plane to depart, to,collect all carry-on that might be gate checked and send them down prior to boarding.

Once the bellies were loaded and closed up, we would start right engine at gate, cool down jet, board, push, crossbleed, depart.

Gate and ramp agreed. Added about 20 minutes to departure dance at gate.

Everybody happy,... including flight attendants who didn't have sweat stained necks during boarding.

Unfortunately, Boeing did not design the 57 to be cooled with ground air on a sunny day when it's above 85 and humid.

Originally Posted by NFLUALNFL (Post 2533776)

Swing and a Miss.

Originally Posted by Grumble (Post 2533806)

That’s a lot of risk to take on in order to cover up for them just not fixing it.

Originally Posted by BMEP100 (Post 2533462)

Sometimes there is a work around, if you are so inclined to try something outside the box.

Twice in IAH in the last 5 years I've had a jet with inop APU that would not cool down on the gate in the summer time.

Hot sunny day, VFR all the way to destination (domestic).

Ordered extra 1000 lbs gas.

Told gate if they want the plane to depart, to,collect all carry-on that might be gate checked and send them down prior to boarding.

Once the bellies were loaded and closed up, we would start right engine at gate, cool down jet, board, push, crossbleed, depart.

Gate and ramp agreed. Added about 20 minutes to departure dance at gate.

Everybody happy,... including flight attendants who didn't have sweat stained necks during boarding.

Unfortunately, Boeing did not design the 57 to be cooled with ground air on a sunny day when it's above 85 and humid.

Originally Posted by oldmako (Post 2533242)

One of my last trips to MEX, we were brought a plane with an inop APU. I ran down to the ramp and implored them to get air hooked up ASAP.
Guess what? No conditioned air in MEX. I then asked them to hook up the huffer so that we could at least keep the packs running for the hour the plane sat on the ramp. Guess what? The huffer in MEX is barely capable of starting an engine, let alone run the packs. So, they refused our request. It was in the middle of the summer. Once loaded and hooked up, it took three tries to get an engine running with their crapped out huffer. What do you suppose the temp was in the cabin that day?

So, for all who claim that troublemakers are refusing reasonably airworthy planes, here is my anecdotal evidence that suggests other guys are carrying trash because they think....well hell, I don't know what they were thinking other than "Gosh, I sure don't want to take a call from the CP!".

Boy, we really shined that day. I wonder what Oscar would have said if he knew the whole story?

Stupid is as stupid does. And that was off the chart stupid.

Could we have refused the plane? Of course. And how would that have looked? Guys on APC would be giving us the giant (female canine) slap for buffoonery. "Why, I used to fly Twin Otters! We could only DREAM of an APU!"

Was the company better off getting it back into service, where it could be properly serviced? Of course. But that plane should never have been dispatched to MEX with an INOP APU.

Some hard decisions are easy.

Originally Posted by CALFO (Post 2534144)

Hold on......are we talking about the last leg of a four day?

Originally Posted by Glenntilton (Post 2534263)

Start one engine before boarding and cool down aircraft.

Originally Posted by intrepidcv11 (Post 2534120)

What was your hourly rate while a motor was running with brake set again? Gonna wager you live in ‘The Woodlands’ right?