ASA saves Delta $968,400!

[Airboss]

From a Delta Flight Ops Bulletin,

"How’s Project APU going?
Flight Operations has led a very dedicated and successful cross divisional APU project team. 2007 numbers are now in and the group has been able to produce company wide saving on the order of $9.1 million.
The APU project has been able to save $968,400 at ASA in just four months -- direct savings for Delta’s bottom line."​

Where are they getting this information from?
What APU project at ASA?​

 

[Max Q]

The whole thing...

If ground power and air is available, don't start APU until 10 minutes before departure. If station has ground power and no air, consider weather. Single engine taxi whenever possible. Shut down APU when both engines are started before takeoff provided performance data allows. If destination is a "Fuel conservation station" APU should not be used unless conditions warrant. If not a "FCS", APU should not be started until on the ground unless conditions warrant.

-Brett

 

[PositionandHold]

The APU "defer not fix" program.

 

[Flyer1015]

"Delta management pockets bonuses totaling $968,400"

 

[CA1900]

Shut down APU when both engines are started...

Speaking for the passengers on your aircraft, please don't do this in the summertime. The airflow isn't even close to adequate on the ground without the APU bleed.

 

[Max Q]

Speaking for the passengers on your aircraft, please don't do this in the summertime. The airflow isn't even close to adequate on the ground without the APU bleed.

Why speaking for the passengers? Nobody up front wants to sweat their nuggets off either. Nobody is going to deliberately turn their aircraft into a greenhouse.

-Brett

 

[zawillif]

I'll be honest with you. I have seen about 3 captains here that try to follow this project. The rest all start it at 10'000' regardless of temperature or conditions.

The ones that DO try to follow it (read, save money) will leave it off even if it is 35C on the ground. Why can't we find a happy medium??

 

[Airboss]

On a 25 min turn, it just doesn't make sense to turn off the apu.
In ATL there isn't ground power or air (C/D)

I just think our fuel burns are down since we got a new contract, nothing due to APU usage.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

You can't do an idle descent and no APU below 10 and expect the cabin to be comfortable no matter what time of year. Unless you have 13 passengers.

 

[Flybywire44]

I thought the ATR was ASA's only fuel savings program. =P

 

[yournextFO]

I'll give them single engine taxi, and maybe delay starting the APU on descent if it's _really_ cold. As for the rest, I have yet to find a "fuel conservation station" that provides external air, and there's no way I'm shutting the APU down on taxi out on a 200. Even in the winter. And I hope no one else does this either!

 

[imacdog]

Comair has been doing this for some time now. Look how Delta rewarded their efforts in saving fuel not only from the APU deal but from flying their aircraft at more efficient settings.

No matter how hard you guys try, Delta will be happy to take a dump on you. So if it's warm or cold out, enjoy that APU-provided air conditioning and heat.

 

[V-1]

Agreed imacdog.

As for the Delta passenger experience, one has to look no further than Delta's operation in JFK to see how much Delta cares about their customers.

On the other hand, since customers are only loyal to their wallets, perhaps this is warranted.

 

[BigPappa]

Why can't you just follow the procedure? That's what you're being paid for too. Every "Joe" I fly with wants to "reinvent the wheel", why?

Anyhow, carry on!

 

[goahead]

How about instead of filing us at 310 form MTY-ATL they file us at 390 when we have 13 folks and faster winds higher, like we did last month. Maybe even climb out at 250 (until TOC) at the outstations.
We saved 390 pounds in our one leg last month. Think it's a bit misguided, once again our pain for their gain.

 

[TOOL CRIB]

Just keep burning all that fuel. Just don't complain about $3.00+/gallon gas prices.

 

[boknowsASA]

Speaking for the passengers on your aircraft, please don't do this in the summertime. The airflow isn't even close to adequate on the ground without the APU bleed.

you need to add "*" unless your on the 700

 

[crjskipper]

Dont fly the 200 anymore but never had a problem starting the APU after landing. Some of my FOs were shocked that I asked them to wait until after landing. I have had several APUs fail when trying to start in flight, not sure of one that wouldnt start after landing.

Idle descents are mostly into Atlanta. Even then only a few minutes of idle. I get hot easy and I can only think of a few times I started reaching for the gasper. I have also checked with most of my flight attendents and they said they rarely noticed.

The 700 makes it easy, I'll shut one down when clear of the actives and start the APU just short of the gate if there is no power. Works well.

 

[ASAFOE120]

You just have to use a little common sense. If its hot up front, its probably hot in the back. Start it! Otherwise, start it after landing.

As far as taxiing out, if the numbers indicate BL Open, then why not shut it down when going into position. As soon as you bring the power up, you get plenty of air. Granted it might only be 30 seconds of savings, but multiply that times every departure we do a day, x a week, etc... and the savings would add up.

I know, we dont get any money out of it and we dont even pay our own fuel bill, but if this helps ASA keep our flying (or maybe gain some new), then I will do it. You just have to use some common sense.

 

[asayankee]

Funny....the press release shows how much we've been able to save in the last 4 months. The problem with that statement though is the project APU nonsense only came out a couple of weeks ago.