A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 137; Flight Crew Total 12118; Flight Crew Type 8965
Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Company Policy; Aircraft; Human Factors; Weather; Procedure
Its 95 degrees in IAH; aircraft has APU inoperative. Aircraft arrived at Gate XX Jet bridge air was connected 5 minutes after arrival but not turned on. The hose was then disconnected and a portable system connected. 10 minutes later with help of a [Maintenance] person the air was turned on. Now 85 degrees in aircraft cabin. Air seemed insufficient. Four kinks in hose. Asked it be fixed to help with cooling. Air then disconnected. Seems a clamp came loose. Now no air on aircraft. Cabin temperature now 92 and 96 in cockpit. Air then reattached and on.  5 minutes later; air cooler than cabin was being delivered. Had to start engine at gate. Air disconnected. Cabin temperature still 90 degrees. Ground crew could not get air cart to produce air and hose then became disconnected or came apart. Cabin temperature 93 degrees. Asked external air to be reconnected again. 5 minutes later hose fixed and engine started.  This is a typical APU [inoperative] scenario. Equipment doesn't work or breaks and ground personnel don't know how to operate it nor is there a sense of urgency.  I takes just a few minutes to have baking temperatures inside the aircraft and a long time to cool it off again.  With a 28 min flight to ZZZ1 this aircraft never cooled off.  ZZZ1 temperature 99 degrees. This is not fair to our passengers; in fact could be quite dangerous to elderly; young or other compromised health individuals.  My clothes were soaking wet upon arrival in ZZZ1. This is very distractive; a major threat. Abnormal Operations are already being accomplished. We might as well just opened the windows. This problem is a repetitive occurrence. This Captain will never take an APU Inoperative aircraft when outside temperatures are over 85 degrees; because despite constant promises to have the ground support; it rarely happens. It doesn't count if the air hose is connected but not turned on; turned on late; turned on with hot air; broken; etc.
A319 Captain reported inoperative APU and excessive temperatures; coupled with insufficient cooling systems caused unsafe operations.