Nope, I have never flown a twotter, so I guess I am unfamiliar with it.
BUT! It doesnt matter if its a 737 or a C172.. if the law says you need a means of measuring outside air temperature under IFR flight rules then the same rule applies regardless. MEL or no MEL.
Temperature could be 40 degress C on the ground and the flight at 3000ft in 34 degrees.. still makes no difference.. The law still applies doesnt it?
But hey, I was only assuming this was an IFR flight.. if it was not, then this guy was totally unreasonable...