Years back plasma cutters had no post flow and most had constant on pilot arc. This was very hard on electrodes, cutting tips, torch’s, etc.
Now most all plasma cutters have at least 20 seconds post flow ( some are adjustable) to help cool thing down. And they have went to a 3 second pilot arc and/or a 2t/4t mode.
I seen a guy were I worked one time melt down a plasma torch just by holding it in the air with the trigger pulled, saying look I am the Statue of Liberty.