B737-800
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Workload
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Human Factors; Company Policy
Upon arrival at the aircraft; my First Officer mentioned that the log book was not signed off and associated placards [had not been] removed correctly. I began to review the log book and indeed; maintenance was done the night before but the placard was not removed correctly. So from the jet bridge I called Maintenance but was directed to call Ramp Tower. I forgot that now a-days Maintenance screens the calls. So I began to explain the situation to the man that answered the phone. He then began a step by step lecture on how I can cross check pages; log book entry items; and read the sign off. And I myself can ensure that everything was OK.He said that if I confirm that everything was done correctly; I myself can remove placard [and] toss it or take it home with me. I did none of this.Maintenance is swamped.Stop cutting corners.
B737 Captain reported that Maintenance failed to properly sign the logbook and remove a placard; and attempted to defer responsibility to the flight crew instead.