Boeing says No Technical Objection. Does this mean you are on your own?
Using the B737 series as an example, it is a fact that some operators do not necessarily follow the FCTM procedures for a rejected take off procedure.
By this I mean the order in which actions are carried out by the captain. Boeing recommend manual speed brake action before use of reverse thrust. Some operators disagree with the Boeing advice and rely on the reverse thrust levers to actuate the automatic speed brake action. If the automatic function should fail, there is a possibility valuable stopping distance is lost until the speed brake is re-selected manually.
My understanding is that operators who deliberately change a Boeing recommended procedure to suit themselves should notify the manufacturer who in turn issues an NTO or No technical Objection.
Does this in effect mean Boeing washes its hands of any responsibility should an accident occur where their recommendation was not followed due to company procedure? Put another way, if the captain is aware (in this example the abort procedure) the FCTM says one thing and the company says another, and an accident occurs, is he liable to be hung out to dry for not conforming to the Boeing advice even though a NTO has been issued by Boeing?