oldmako

It's sad how true this statement is.

Guaranteed there probably won't be shades on the cockpits sunny side windows either. And if you're deadheading on the way out, its also a sure bet that the little c in the left seat won't start the APU until 10 mins prior, never mind that the plane has been nearly full of pax for the last 15 mins, with each of them contributing their own smelly BTU's to the aluminum sauna. Whatever happened to packs full cold descending through 18 (or 10) and all vents open prior to leaving the jet?

Have they fixed the gate air in Houston yet? Seems like our hottest hub routinely has the crummiest JB air.

Ain't aviation grand?

Larry in TN

I learned something new recently.

Many of our gate PC-air systems have different modes. Some let you choose between "RJ" and "Narrowbody". Others between "Narrowbody" and "Widebody". Since I learned about this I've found several set to "RJ" when hooked up to my 737 with obviously produces poor results.

Still plenty that can't keep up no matter what the setting but I'm now checking it on walk-arounds.

gettinbumped

I respectfully request that you reconsider. I've never flown an airplane that is as worthless with ground air as the Guppy. Same gate and ground air which cool the Airbus beautifully leave the Guppy absolutely miserable. I get on, assess the temp, and more often than not have them disconnect ground air and crank the APU. Doesn't matter if it's 60 from push or 6.

That being said, to just blanket start the APU if you see the vents closed to prove a point seems ill-advised. Mostly because it doesn't prove a point. The person you are trying to prove the point to has already left and has no idea that "you showed him". I will confess to forgetting to open the vents on a cool day when the cockpit temp is nice. If their was an SOP to do so, I would probably still forget from time to time. I do my very best to leave a nice, clean, setup cockpit for the next crew. I would rather have less stuff in the FM than more. If it's important to you, perhaps a small campaign of mentoring your FO's on the cordiality of leaving the vents open will spread around the fleet. Or write an article for the fleet newsletter reminding crews of the need to leave the vents open? But blindly starting the APU is a waste of our money and natural resources.

gettinbumped

Huh. Didn't know that. Thanks for that nugget. Will check that because the guppy is WORTHLESS with ground air so maybe this will help.

APC225

Yes, that is rash and just a bit of ranting.On multiple summers they HAVE put this in the newsletter. In fact, it is in the latest and current newsletter. With a photo even. But pilots are masters at quickly determining 1) what is safe, 2) what is required, and 3) who is the cutest girl in the boarding area. The rest is noise. The newsletter is not a governing document. It ain't required, so it ain't read. And if it is read, techniques or suggestions are ignored or seen as nice to know, but quickly forgotten.

As far as mentoring, I have found that "mentoring" a technique is problematic. "Oh, that captain likes the vents open." Been there. So the vents may be opened when they fly with me, otherwise forget it.

Which gets back to original point. Only a change to the FM will make this happen. For all you guppy drivers, take a quick look at the vents when you arrive at the cockpit. They'll be closed all summer long and no one cares. Not even the APU guru who wants to save fuel and money--except if it costs nothing and is really easy to do.

Knotcher

I've been to LAS where it's 110 degrees and the plane is an icicle. The secret is keeping the hose off the ramp. Most other airplanes are higher up and thus the hose touches less of the ramp. Whereas on 737 it's so low the whole hose bakes and lukewarm air comes out.

Dimming the screens has been unwritten sop for years and automatic for 99.9% of the guys I've flown with...just a lot of new guys on the plane in recent years that don't know better.

Airhogg

LOL. You serious????

pilotgolfer

Go away, troll.