EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors
We were flying a plane with the APU MELed. Knowing our APU was inoperative; when we made our in-range call to ZZZ Operations on the previous flight; we advised them that we were negative APU and thus needed a GPU and air start cart at the gate upon arrival. Operations assigned us [a gate] and told us that the equipment would be waiting for us. We pulled into the gate; had engine 1 shut down and engine 2 still running; waiting for the GPU to be hooked up.A Ramper started yelling at us from outside that he didn't have a GPU. We kept giving the signal to connect a GPU; and he just kept yelling at us from outside the plane saying he doesn't have one. He just walked away after that. We then called Operations again on the radio and told them that we really need a GPU so we can shut engine 2 down; and the Operations worker said he already told the hardstand rampers that a GPU is a necessity for us; not just a preference; and that the best he could do is keep calling the rampers to tell them that. Because we were trying to make a 24 minute turn; we then began deplaning so we could be ready to load up the next group of passengers; hoping to have a GPU by that point; who were already waiting in the bus outside the plane. We began deplaning the first group and continued boarding the next group with engine 2 still running; as we still did not have a GPU.When we opened the door to let the inbound passengers off; the Ramper came aboard and said he cannot hook up a GPU because all of the hardstand's GPU's are already being used by other planes at [other] gates. In the chaos; the Captain stepped off the plane to talk to rampers to figure out what exactly was going on; while I stayed aboard to quickly get the plane ready for the next flight trying to maintain a 24 minute turn. Meanwhile; passengers started boarding even though we weren't ready - another thing we had to divert our attention to. Somewhere in all of the commotion; the Fueler showed up and started fueling the aircraft; but both of us were so preoccupied with the situation that we missed it; and didn't realize until later that the plane was being fueled with an engine still running. We never got a GPU during the turn; so engine 2 was running the whole time. Through the distractions of boarding passengers; continuous calls to Operations trying to get a GPU; dealing with rampers outside; and trying to turn the aircraft as quickly as possible; we admittedly made the mistake of not noticing the fueling in progress; which is something we need to consider the next time a situation like this arises. From what we understand; fueling with an engine running is not allowed; so we needed to watch out for that. The organization at the hardstands was horrible. Operations knew a GPU was a necessity; and if they knew they didn't have one available; they should have told us ahead of time or assigned us a different gate. Granted; the Operations worker on the radio was fairly helpful in answering our calls and calling supervisors on our behalf. It seems to me in this situation that the rampers should have passed it back along to Operations that they didn't have an available GPU. If they did that; Operations could have started working on getting us a different gate before we were actually parked at [our gate]; or came up with another equally acceptable solution. There were a bunch of people involved in this scenario; none of which communicated effectively with each other. We believe we did our duty and clearly stated our needs; it was up to Operations at that point to fulfill them.Also; make sure fuelers know that if they see or hear the engine still running; do not start fueling. This isn't to take away the responsibility from the flight crew to ensure no fueling occurs with a running engine; but [to] add an extra layer of protection just in case the flight crew is too preoccupied to notice; like in our situation.
I just want to make you aware of an issue we had tonight in ZZZ regarding a GPU on a quick turn. Our aircraft had no APU. We contacted Operations on approach to advise we were in range and needed a GPU and an air start. They acknowledged and said no problem; and advised us to park at the hardstands.We arrived and I shut down the left engine. We continued running the right engine as we awaited our GPU; just as we normally do. A Ramper then started yelling at the cockpit he had no GPU. I gave him the signal back that we needed one. He yelled again he didn't have one and walked away throwing up his arms. We called Operations again and told them the Ramp Agent was ignoring our need for a GPU. We stressed that it wasn't a preference; we absolutely needed one due to having no APU.Operations came back and said they were working on it and would tell the rampers again to find one. Passengers began de-planning at this time since we were on a quick turn. We had no choice but to leave the right engine running since passengers were still on board and the aircraft needed a power source. The hardstand bus with the new passengers for our next flight was already outside waiting to board as soon as the old passengers were off.I climbed out and went onto the Ramp to talk to the Ramper and let him know we were on a quick turn and needed the GPU and still had an engine running and the new passengers were waiting to board. The FO (First Officer) stayed with the plane and began setting everything up for the next flight to try and have everything else ready since it was a quick turn. I specifically told the Ramper we couldn't fuel with an engine running.The Ramper snapped at me that he checked with Operations and all the GPUs were being used and none were available. He said; 'How many times do I have to tell you; there are none left; we don't have any; what do you want me to do about it?' Sometime in between all this chaos of trying to hash out this mess with the Ramper; and coordinate boarding with the Agent; the fuelers apparently showed up while de-planning and fueled the aircraft with the engine still running; unbeknown to us; as we were wrapped up in trying to fix this mess with everyone.The Ramper stormed off again so I got back on board and we tried Operations again and stressed again the need for a GPU. They gave us the same response; that they had told the rampers multiple times but were getting the same answer from the rampers: none were available. While trying to coordinate all this with Operations the Agent began boarding the new passengers; without ever confirming ok to board with me. Because of this we had no choice but to keep the right engine running; as passengers were now on board again and the aircraft had no other power source. This was when I noticed the aircraft had apparently been fueled sometime during this event without my knowledge.Long story short; the GPU never arrived which resulted in us having to run the right engine during the entire quick turn. It was a total cluster of trying to coordinate with multiple people; who seemed to just act on their own without ever conferring with us. I imagine many of these problems resulted from being out on the hardstands with less resources available; and the agents rushing over a quick turn. But I've never had a situation like this before so I'm not sure if it was against SOPs; but I felt at the least it was an irregular operation; so I wanted to make you aware.
EMB 145 flight crew reported that despite the request; a ground power unit was unavailable and led to multiple safety violations.