In fact the Mel is set by the manufacturer not the airline . That isn't the point you are making I think .
The automation argument has been raging for a very long time & will continue to do so , as for Mel items you are not obliged to accept the a/c even if dispatch is allowed , of course questions will be asked but it's finally the commanders choice but the reasoning should be sound . Did you mean 1 Rad altimeter ? Surely not ?