Absolutely , managers manage situations. A simple call to MOC and the mechanic is sent over. It does not take very long to check a seat.

Once the write up is in the book, we can expedite a call to MOC, get it taken care of for operational need. When the A/C is at the gate its our aircraft remember that. We along with SOC, MOC and dispatch and the captain work together to make everything happen.

Operational need can get a lot of things done. But to be fair the captain does have to write it up first. And this can only be done in hubs where available line tech's are available.

But if the seat is deemed INOP it must be in the book from what I understand.

The only true way I guess a captain could mess with this would be weight and balance. But he may screw other non-revs with this, because its still by priority.