MD-82
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Human-Machine Interface; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure
Our aircraft had an open MEL item rendering the auto spoilers inoperative. The Captain called Maintenance Control to ensure that the item was correctly deferred and that all required maintenance items were performed. Maintenance personnel came to the aircraft; evaluated the MEL item; and indicated that the deferral was properly completed. A normal flight was made to destination. Upon [the aircraft's] return flight the flight crew discovered that the flight spoilers did not work as air-brakes. After the flight landed my Captain discussed the situation with a Flight Manager and they determined that the MEL maintenance item was not properly performed. The Captain called me and made me aware of the situation the next morning.
Our aircraft was released per an MEL advising auto spoilers were inoperative. On descent we were unable to deploy flight spoilers. We readioed Maintenance to meet the flight to discuss the issue.  On landing we were unable to deploy any spoilers. No Maintenance personal arrived. I briefed the outbound Captain over my concern that the aircraft had not been properly set up to comply with the MEL item. As a crew member this is difficult to recognize until you need spoilers. Since spoilers are not to be armed for takeoff you wouldn't know that the handle was locked out for all operations.
Two back to back flight crews reported a spoiler deferral on their common MD-82 had been managed incorrectly and all spoiler functions were inoperative as opposed to only auto-spoilers as advised in the AML.