I was having problems with AI Packages as well but of a different nature. Basically, when I would use the Near Reference->Select Reference In Render Window option, the click Ok, CK would crash. So, in trying different ways to counter this bug, I used the In Cell option while NOT having anything loaded in the Render Window. This worked. So I know this isn't exactly about using idles, but it may provide a means to get around CK crashing when working with ai packages.