Originally Posted by
cappt
I've seen many seats with broken backrest recline mechanisms. The MEL clearly states how to take the seat out of service, if the broken seat effects the one behind it then that seat/row must also be taken out of service and "Do not occupy" placards attached.
In twenty one years I've never seen seats with the entire back removed and operation of the aircraft with PAX allowed. Can anyone point that out in the MEL?
That would be my question too. While everything seems to be in accordance with the MEL, there is something still not right about this whole thing and i think it is the difference between the seat equipment being inoperative and placarded as such vs it being dismantled and therefore in a state of repair. Not just inop.