“This memo refers to a "cross divisional" effort on this project. Is IFS part of this working group? It talks about financial gain with smarter APU usage, and warns of the pitfalls of "complacency" eroding the work of the initiative. As flight attendants who experience the often sweltering onboard heat during boarding and taxiing along with our customers, we hope that supplemental air conditioning by way of the APU is not labeled as complacent.”
~ Excerpt of letter from MEC Vice President Dan Grey to Gary Thompson and Sandy Gordon, regarding “Project APU – Smart Use” efficiency initiative
You think the missing coffee pots and melted ice have got your blood boiling? Think again. It might just be the missing APU. Well, maybe it’s not missing like the caddy clips, seconds trays and styros, but if your aircraft’s Auxiliary Power Unit is turned off to cut gate-side cabin cooling costs, it might as well be missing, right? When you’re gasping for air in a sweltering cabin with gasper valves blowing full hot, well, so much for that cool corporate image Delta spends to much cash to project.
A spike in fuel prices sparked Delta’s recent “Project APU – Smart Use,” a fuel efficiency initiative aimed at controlling costs by reducing “inappropriately utilized APU power.” A noble goal, as far as conservation goes, but not left unchecked in the blazing days of summer. When thermometers spike, a rise in temperature-related illness, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke follows close behind, and that’s not something you want to see or feel—especially in polyester. Sweating the spike in heated complaint letters is one thing; sweating profusely in a closed cabin, quite another. It’s not just uncomfortable for passengers and crew. It can become life-threateningly dangerous, as well.
Heat exhaustion can occur when the body loses too many fluids, can’t maintain its normal temperature, and unsafely overheats. Left untreated, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, the most severe heat emergency, requiring immediate medical assistance. Check out this HEAT EXHUASTION BULLETIN so you recognize the symptoms and can react quickly. Ask your flight deck crew to get the cool air cranking before passengers board, and open air vents when time permits. If an air cart is not available at your station, an operative APU is essential to maintaining a safe and comfortable cabin temperature, even if it uses a little fuel. The cockpit could feel just fine, but cabin fever sets in quickly during passenger boarding.
Warning users against complacency, Chief Operating Officer Steve Gorman promoted Operation APU with the commitment he would provide employees with the tools and equipment necessary to ensure efficient and consistent use of APU’s. Given Delta’s billion-dollar customer service upgrade investment, we hope the tools are more than Delta-branded hand fans. Efficiency is fine, provided its consistent balance is common sense and s
afety. Ice tea and lemonade at Inflight won’t cut it, when your red tie already bled pink on your shirt. As the largest nonmilitary fuel consumer in the world, we recognize Delta must do its part to conserve fuel and cut costs for collective success. But no one wants to sweat the small stuff so literally.
How about you? Are you feeling the heat or cool as a cucumber? What’s your take on Project APU—thumbs up, down, or tied up dabbing your brow? Tell us how you’re feeling HERE. NWA-AFA’s MEC and Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee are already tackling cabin fever with the company as a direct result of your feedback. You’ve taken the heat, so we’re taking this on. Remember, if you don’t report it, it didn’t happen.
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