Originally Posted by
Uplinker
Re cockpit preparation; we used to do everything else, but we would leave the fuel pumps off.
Just before PF called for the Before Start checklist, they would double check the overhead panel for any white lights and put the pumps on then. And start the APU as well, if it had not been started already.
Can't remember if this was our Airline SOPs or just something we did.
Big Airways pilots did a combination of both. It was clarified a few years ago. White lights out on preparation.