Pinnacle APU usage crackdown.

[bluefishbeagle]

When I went to work for the big Peanuckle my backround was corporate and running the APU was done only when needed (the boss was on board or would be shortly) keep costs down was paramount to keeping a job.

I mentioned to TM that the APU's were being used excessively, he said "we are not worried about APU usage, NW pays for the overhuals. OK.......

After a few of them came up for overhual and the costs were realized it suddenly became a problem.

Although I'm no longer at the big "P" if there I would look at APU usage the same as today, if the boss is on board run it.

Paying passenger's ARE the boss. Keepum happy and cool. Keep up the good work guy/gals and I wish you the best. :beer:

 

[turbinej]

When I was there that had always been the policy. they enforced it in 2002-03 very heavily. They stressed not using the APU is that they are leased on the aircraft and the engines are not. It cost PCL more money to run the APU then to keep the engine spinning. Want increased airflow bump the thrust up on an engine.

 

[SaturnPilot]

or just keep running the APUs until they sign a contract

 

[Charty]

The only time that should be done is if PT's dumb a$$ is on board in the summer so he can see how hot it gets.

 

[PCL_128]

or just keep running the APUs until they sign a contract

Bingo!

 

[SaturnPilot]

The only time that should be done is if PT's dumb a$$ is on board in the summer so he can see how hot it gets.

hopefully that would give him another stroke!

 

[Crowing Rooster]

In an April 2007 interview “'theVP of flight ops. was asked whether there was a completion clause in the company’s contract with NWA, under which the company received money based on the number of scheduled trips completed, he indicated that this was part of a complex payment formula. The company was paid for many factors that included percent of completed trips, on-time departures, fuel burn rates, APU usage.’”

Y’all realize if you run the leased APU’s up to 10,000ft. this has the potential to lessen Pinnacle Corporations compensation.

There will be a rash of APU deferrals like last summer. I.E. air traffic controller asked me last summer “Why were there 14 flights asking for a place to do cross bleed starts.” He thought it might be a new procedure and I told him it was a rash of deferred APU’s.

One problem with deferred APU’s is that the heat will generate customer complaints.

The other problem with deferred APU’s is that Pinnacle does not have many huffer carts. So this has the potential for wrecking on time performance while waiting for a huffer. Also the huffer start procedure is time consuming and also may generate some delays even if you do not have to wait for a huffer.

 

[PCL_128]

Good. Those issues will get management to wake up and give you a new contract.

And remember, if it's too hot in the cabin and the APU's deferred, then refuse the airplane.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Good. Those issues will get management to wake up and give you a new contract.

And remember, if it's too hot in the cabin and the APU's deferred, then refuse the airplane.

Good call... keep in mind to word the refusal...

"I am refusing to operate this jet until the cabin is cool"

Simply refusing to fly can get one is trouble... that damm RLA.

 

[PCL_128]

Very true. Pilots delay flights, SOC cancels them. Simply tell them that you will not be able to operate the flight until the cabin is cooled down or the APU is fixed, for reasons of passenger and crew safety.

 

[Smarta$$]

In an April 2007 interview “'theVP of flight ops. was asked whether there was a completion clause in the company’s contract with NWA, under which the company received money based on the number of scheduled trips completed, he indicated that this was part of a complex payment formula. The company was paid for many factors that included percent of completed trips, on-time departures, fuel burn rates, APU usage.’”

Y’all realize if you run the leased APU’s up to 10,000ft. this has the potential to lessen Pinnacle Corporations compensation.

There will be a rash of APU deferrals like last summer. I.E. air traffic controller asked me last summer “Why were there 14 flights asking for a place to do cross bleed starts.” He thought it might be a new procedure and I told him it was a rash of deferred APU’s.

One problem with deferred APU’s is that the heat will generate customer complaints.

The other problem with deferred APU’s is that Pinnacle does not have many huffer carts. So this has the potential for wrecking on time performance while waiting for a huffer. Also the huffer start procedure is time consuming and also may generate some delays even if you do not have to wait for a huffer.

All fantastic reasons to run the apu to 15,000 up and down every time.

Contract NOW.

 

[Smarta$$]

Also, when arriving at an outstation a little late, set the brake imediately and do NOT reset before opening the cabin door.

This can eat 2-5 minutes off the 25 min required turn times. I actually had a station manager wait over five minutes to give us the signal to open the door so they could get the green tags next to the plane.

When he came aboard he said that he was waiting to get the green tags out of the bin because he "knew" that the 25 minutes starts when the door opens.

To bad for him, the time had actually started five minutes sooner. Too bad. No bonus for pt. and the goones.

 

[submachXJ]

I've flown with a bunch of these tightwads lately. I don't get it. We sat at the gate in DTW for 20 minutes running an engine the other day before finally someone plugged it up. wth indeed. I guess some people are just a bit stubborn.

All winter in DTW the only aircraft (that I saw) that received ground air were the Mesaba -900's. I suspect it will be the same for the summer. It's like they're taught to treat Pinnacle flights like dogsh*t. Unless we specifically call ops and ask for ground power and/or air THEN go outside 10 minutes later and grab a ramper to actually do it then it won't happen.

It's not the fuel Pinnacle is concerned about, it's the APU cycles.

Well as far as air and GPU on airplanes the Saab rated just as well as Pinnacles CRJ's this winter and every winter and summer. There was nothing connecting the Saabs to the ground except the tires. And a fuel line for a while. Sometimes the tailstand. Oh yeah what is an APU? Sounds cool when they work.

It's unbiased laziness/oversight:erm:

 

[SaturnPilot]

In an April 2007 interview “'theVP of flight ops. was asked whether there was a completion clause in the company’s contract with NWA, under which the company received money based on the number of scheduled trips completed, he indicated that this was part of a complex payment formula. The company was paid for many factors that included percent of completed trips, on-time departures, fuel burn rates, APU usage.’”

Y’all realize if you run the leased APU’s up to 10,000ft. this has the potential to lessen Pinnacle Corporations compensation.

There will be a rash of APU deferrals like last summer. I.E. air traffic controller asked me last summer “Why were there 14 flights asking for a place to do cross bleed starts.” He thought it might be a new procedure and I told him it was a rash of deferred APU’s.

One problem with deferred APU’s is that the heat will generate customer complaints.

The other problem with deferred APU’s is that Pinnacle does not have many huffer carts. So this has the potential for wrecking on time performance while waiting for a huffer. Also the huffer start procedure is time consuming and also may generate some delays even if you do not have to wait for a huffer.

excellent points...all of these factors will take notice from management. If all PCL pilots run the hell out of the APUs, do NOT EVER rush to get a flight out on time (think safety), taxi at a reasonable speed (on 2 engines always to minimize "heads down" time of the FO), etc, then you will effect the performance dear to management. Keep it up long enough and hopefully the will finally sign a contract.

 

[Windsor]

Why stop apu usage at 15K? Run the sucker the entire flight. Just remember to transfer the bleeds before 15K or you'll get a little "Ding" and Bleed Misconfig message to remind you.

I was under the impression the 9E pays for APU fuel, not NWA. I may be wrong. Wouldnt be the first time. Either way, I really dont care what the memo says. If the plane is hot and needs to be cooled off, APU will be run. Plane is cold and needs to be heated up, APU will run. At outstation on a quick turn, APU will run. I have a bead of sweat on my forehead, APU will run.

This memo is just another in a long line of crap from mismanagement aimed at eroding PIC authority and good use of common sense.