B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 122; Flight Crew Total 2940; Flight Crew Type 2940
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; MEL; Procedure
Downloaded the [Flight Plan] for [the] flight. This aircraft had MEL 52-XX-X applied for the inoperative keypad on the flight deck door. While the MEL was applied correctly there were several items in the procedure that raised concern.First; the MEL states the door keypad is deactivated and the deadbolt lock is to be used in flight. The placard next to the deadbolt states that it is for ground use only. The MEL should address this discrepancy and note that the placard no longer applies under this MEL. While I was told the MEL allows us to operate against the restrictions of the posted placard; this seems in direct contrast to our MEL preamble stating.Secondly; the MEL directs you to the FOM which tells you 'USE ALTERNATE FLIGHT DECK ACCESS PROCEDURES. REFER TO FOM FLIGHT DECK ACCESS / FLIGHT DECK SECURITY AND DOOR PROCEDURES / FLIGHT DECK ACCESS PROCEDURES / FLIGHT DECK DOOR.' While the information is on this page in the FOM; it is hidden within the normal procedures and does not have its own alternate header making it difficult to reference.Finally; there is no real guidance on the use of the deadbolt in flight. This should not only include a description of the operation of the deadbolt with warnings of the key inoperable position; but also a briefing. This briefing should include the entire crew on the operation of the deadbolt in normal and emergency operation with each Flight Attendant verifying they have their key.
B737 Captain reported discrepancies on the application of an MEL procedure.