EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Human-Machine Interface; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Procedure; MEL; Company Policy; Aircraft
I was assigned to operate [a] flight out of ZZZ. I was assigned Aircraft X and it had several MELs. The one that I was concerned about was the Captain's Seat Longitudinal Adjustment (25-5). The MEL stated that the seat can be MEL'd as long as the backup system operates normally. For the backup system to function you would need another set of hands to operate the seat manually. I came to the conclusion that this was going to be a safety of flight issue due to the fact that if my seat could not be moved back once it was in place and that it would prevent me from making an escape should I need to in the event of an emergency. Also if my seat was in the full back position I couldn't taxi the aircraft safely due to the pedals being further away from my feet and the added distance between my hand and the tiller.I called Dispatch to tell them I could not accept the MEL 25-5 for the seat. The dispatcher put me on hold and transferred me to a supervisor. I explained to the supervisor my concerns and I thought that we would be talking to someone from Maintenance as well as the supervisor on a conference call. We had some phone issues and then the supervisor called me with [Person B] from the CPO (Chief Pilot's Office). I explained to [Person B] what was wrong and my concerns with the MEL. He asked what solutions I could come up with to fix the issue. I said that either we could have the seat fixed or have another airplane assigned to the flight. [Person B] said he needed to make a call and he would call back soon. I called ALPA. During this call the FO (First Officer) saw that I had been removed from the flight. I checked my schedule while on the call with ALPA and noticed that I had in fact been removed. I was scheduled for a deadhead to rejoin my crew tomorrow. A reserve pilot was then assigned to my flights. After the reservist arrived I showed him the problems with the seat. He also refused the aircraft. Several minutes went by and then my crew with the new Captain was assigned a new aircraft. I said my goodbyes to my crew and headed to talk to [Person B] in the CPO. On my walk there; [Person B] called and asked if I would like to go back to the new airplane and resume my trip with the original crew. I agreed and went to the new gate and aircraft. The company [did] not take a moment for safety and not accepting the fact that I thought the MEL was a safety of flight issue. [I suggest the company] listen to captains and when we say something isn't acceptable; to listen to us and not try to find someone who will operate a flight with an unacceptable MEL.
Captain reported refusing an aircraft due to a inappropriate MEL; as well as miscommunication with supervisor.