A B757-200 Captain expressed disdain for the unprofessional manner in which his aircraft was being prepared for his flight. Equal expressions of scorn were directed at Maintenance; Customer Service and Dispatch; as well as himself for his failure to take the time necessary; despite pressure from passenger service; to properly review the logbook and catch inappropriate entries prior to their ultimate departure.

Narrative

Our early AM departure had an APU pneumatically deferred; providing only electric power. Arrived at jet to discover no logbook; no heat (inside temperature 50 degrees); no air cart; etc. Mechanics were working on the APU at the time and we had 74 tight connections waiting to go. We rushed around trying to get people to do their jobs/heat the jet/find the logbook; etc. The right pack had tripped off and we had Maintenance on board trying to fix it while we were contacting Dispatch for possible new flight plan/fuel/altitude with one pack inoperative if necessary; etc. We boarded the plane but there was still no logbook. Hooked up to air cart now; and start cart. Pack resets/fixed by Maintenance. [We] still [have] no logbook [and there is] much pilot pushing from gate/ramp folks. Logbook arrives; see APU inoperative; we close door and go. Jet had flown for 1 and a half days with this placard; after having previous fault/cleared entry; so no surprises there. Upon landing; start thinking about APU for electric at gate; recheck logbook; note difference in placarding entry/flight plan; etc;.... go back several days looking for 'CSD serviced/checked' entry and it's not there! Didn't catch it with all the other BS going on at an early time with an airplane that has been carrying this placard around. Also fell sucker to original Maintenance guys working on APU saying 'everything else checks out; except APU battery/battery charger'Make the flight plan match the placard! Expectations were for an APU; just not a full one. Get the logbook; and then take the time; even if early/rushed; to make sure everyone else has done their job correctly; with the right paperwork; especially if stage has been set for something else. Having external air/power masked the symptoms/embellished the expectations of a semi/no APU.