CAPT OF B777 STATES HIS CREW WAS AWARE OF; BUT NOT INCLINED TO FOLLOW FLT MANUAL RESTRS TO OP OF CTLS AT THE GATE WHICH HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO INJURE GND PERSONNEL.

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ACFT INTERIOR WAS WARM; AND OTHER FLT CREW MEMBERS SUGGESTED STARTING THE APU FOR AIR CONDITIONING. I STATED THAT WE NEED CLRNC FROM THE GND. ONE OF THEM ASKED; 'WHY?' I REPLIED THAT THERE IS A BULLETIN IN THE FLT MANUAL CONCERNING UNCOMMANDED MOVEMENT OF CARGO CONTAINERS WHEN SWITCHING (ELECTRICAL) BTWN GND PWR AND APU. THEY REPLIED; 'THAT'S NOT IMPORTANT. NOBODY PAYS ATTN TO IT.' I REPLIED; 'IT IS A WARNING IN THE FLT MANUAL.' (A WARNING IS DEFINED IN OUR FLT MANUAL AS 'OPERATING PROCS...COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY; OR LOSS OF LIFE; IF NOT CAREFULLY FOLLOWED.) ONE OF THEM RAISED HER VOICE AND SAID; 'IT IS MINOR; AND EVERYONE IGNORES IT! I TOLD THE ADDITIONAL CREW MEMBER TO GO DOWN (FOR THE WALKAROUND) AND GIVE ME A THUMBS-UP IF IT WAS CLR. SHE IMMEDIATELY GAVE IT TO ME; BUT I DOUBT THAT SHE CLRED IT WITH THE CARGO LOADERS. BOTH OF THEM KEPT ARGUING THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT NOBODY ADHERES TO EXCEPT ME. I REITERATED THAT IT IS STILL A 'WARNING' IN THE FLT MANUAL. IT WAS ALSO ADDRESSED IN THE FLEET NEWS LETTER THE FIRST OF THE YR. THEY STILL ARGUED THAT IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO GET THE APU RUNNING AND AIR CONDITIONING TO THE PAX. APPARENTLY; THEY FELT THAT; GIVEN THE COMPANY'S FINANCIAL SIT; IT IS OK TO CUT CORNERS.