re: Delta passengers fall ill while stuck on tarmac for hours in Las Vegas heat wave

quote:

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Airline pilots of tOT, do airlines with extended holding times on the taxiways shut down their main engines and use only the APU for fuel/costs savings?

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If you're in holding area, away from an active taxiway, that's pretty common. This plane was off the gate for almost an hour and a half before returning, and likely had an inoperative pack.

Likely a scenario where the crew was unaware of some kind of taxi delay or ground stop. Otherwise, I'd have to imagine they'd refuse the plane in those conditions.