B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 183; Flight Crew Total 12252; Flight Crew Type 2882
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Inflight Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure; Aircraft
We accepted an aircraft with a fuel gauge deferral. The requirements to meet the MEL for deferral appeared to be met. However; as we discovered through the flight; the error in the fuel system was around 1000 lbs and due to multiple factors we believe the actual fuel claimed to be onboard by maintenance was incorrect. We have no way of verifying drip stick measurements; and [Maintenance] basically made their numbers work. Additionally; during the flight while fuel monitoring; we discovered the center tank; which contained 6600 lbs at start; only showed 6200 lbs burned. It is likely the fudged figures from [Maintenance] and a tacit denial of a drip stick issue; combined with other fuel errors which didn't comply with the MEL; resulted in this flight operating in noncompliance.
B737NG Captain reported being dispatched with less fuel than calculated.