A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; MEL; Logbook Entry; Aircraft
Flight attendant alerted us to the fact that the Emergency [Exit] Row window shade was stuck in the UP position. [I] called Maintenance. They came out; couldn't get it back on track and communicated that to Maintenance Control. Gate Agent asked if it was 'OK' to seat people there and after consulting the MEL and finding nothing specific about the shade in the Emergency Row; still told him [Gate Agent] not to seat passenger there. Maintenance in [the departure airport] was in constant communication with Maintenance Control and deferred the shade as a Non-Essential Function (NEF) item. I asked both Maintenance Control and Local Maintenance in [the departure airport] if it was 'OK' to go. I got an affirmative both times from both departments.Got to [our destination] and the Gate Agent there said Maintenance was coming up to repair the shade as it was a No-Go Item when stuck in the UP position. I then called Maintenance Control and asked how come I wasn't told this in [the departure airport] and how was it that a No-Go Item was deferred as an NEF. Maintenance [Control] said the ambiguity of the wording was in question; as the UP could be interpreted to mean up; as in 'Closed;' or up; as in 'Open' and providing a view to the wing. [Our arrival airport's] Maintenance said he had never heard of it as a No-Go Item and promptly went back and jammed it down and open; allowing a view out [of the window]. Asked Maintenance Control what was the story with the write-up and was it wrong to have flown the plane. They said no; it was legal in the state [condition] the shade was in and there was no issue. So here is my report; as Maintenance saying it wasn't an issue; has red flags all over it. Better ability by Maintenance to check items that are No-Go Items and resolving any ambiguity in write-up wording.
A pilot describes how the use of the word 'UP' in a Logbook write-up; led to a misunderstanding between Maintenance and Maintenance Control. An improper deferral of an A319 cabin Emergency Exit Row window shade in the 'closed' position as a Non-Essential Function (NEF) item occurred.