Date: 201602
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Light: Dawn
Aircraft: EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Aircraft component: Minimum Equipment List (MEL)
Component problem: Improperly Operated
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Confusion; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting; Workload; Communication Breakdown
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Pre-flight
Result: Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Chart Or Publication; Company Policy; Procedure
Primary problem: Company Policy

Narrative: Arrived at the aircraft for the first flight of the day. I went about my preflight duties and while I was loading up the FMS the Captain was going through his preflight sequence. He discovered an entry in the flight log deferred index which was logged [last month]. In the remarks section it said the item required a reinspection after 32 calendar days. We both counted and agreed it was expired. The Captain called maintenance control in order to get the discrepancy rectified. After several minutes of conversation and trying to figure out what to do; the Captain was told contract maintenance was on the way. After about 20 minutes of waiting the Captain called again to get an update in order to keep the passengers informed. The Captain was told that the limitation on the item was 2;500 hours and that it was just an internal paperwork issue. He was told to call the Chief Pilot as they would not send anyone out to fix the paperwork.The Captain wrote up the discrepancy in the maintenance logbook and contract maintenance came out. The mechanic did not fix the issue. After the Captain called Maintenance Control again they told us the signoff in the logbook was fine and that it didn't matter that the Flight Log Deferred Index was still showing 32 Calendar days. After the Captain asked to speak to a supervisor yet again they finally put him through to the Maintenance Director who said we could change the item in the deferred index. We were initially told this was not the case; that it could not be changed and to just go because it was an internal paperwork issue.It took way too long to fix this paperwork issue and I can't speak for the Captain; but I felt pressured to fly an airplane that might not be airworthy rather than the company working with us to make sure everything was set to go.Work with the flight crews to come to a better mutually agreeable resolution rather than place us in a position where we feel we are being pushed to get the flight out on time no matter what.




Synopsis: An ERJ-170 First Officer reported a deferred maintenance item exceeded the days allowed between inspections. At an outstation; the Company had Contract Maintenance further deferred the item without an inspection. The crew protested; but felt forced to fly.