CAPT OF A DH8 COMPLAINS ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS ACFT CAN BE OPERATED WITH AN ALTERNATE SEAT FOR THE CABIN ATTENDANT UNDER THE ATTENDANT'S SEAT MEL PROVISION.

Narrative

MEL -- FLT ATTENDANT SEAT ASSEMBLY -- RECEIVED (ACFT) IN TAMPA WITH MEL ITEM -- LATE SWAP -- SO I ASSUMED NO PROB WITH THIS PARTICULAR MEL. ENRTE TO MIA; REREAD MEL REMARKS/EXCEPTIONS ESPECIALLY; 'ALTERNATE PROCS ARE ESTABLISHED FOR DISPLACED FLT ATTENDANT.' IT DIDN'T OCCUR TO ME UNTIL LATER THAT I COULD NOT FIND ANY ESTABLISHED PROCS; ESPECIALLY IN REGARDS TO COM. FROM THE PAX SEAT RESERVED FOR FLT ATTENDANT USE; THE FLT ATTENDANT IS UNABLE TO REACH THE TELEPHONE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE CREW; NOR IS THE FLT ATTENDANT ABLE TO SELECT OR DE- SELECT THE PA BUTTON FOR ANNOUNCEMENT. I HAVE NEVER LIKED THIS MEL BECAUSE IN TURB; WE ARE UNABLE TO DISCUSS ANYTHING WITH THE FLT ATTENDANT WITHOUT HER/HIM UNBUCKLING THEIR SEAT BELT (THAT'S SAFE). ALSO; IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT; THE FLT ATTENDANT; IN OUR CASE; THE ONLY FLT ATTENDANT; IS NOT AS WELL PROTECTED (NO SHOULDER HARNESS; FORWARD FACING SEAT); AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO EASILY MONITOR THE CABIN WHILE SEATED. I FEEL THAT AT THE VERY LEAST IT SHOULD BE ONLY A 3 DAY ITEM (IT IS A 10 DAY ITEM NOW); AND IN ACFT WITH ONLY 1 FLT ATTENDANT IT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED.