The feature is there so pilots don't have to be retrained on the different handling of the plane. It was entirely cost avoidance on Boeings part. To say that

The feature is there so pilots don't have to be retrained on the different handling of the plane. It was entirely cost avoidance on Boeings part. To say that they could just turn it off is also an admission that the plane is not the same and pilots would need to be retrained. Boeing can't have it both ways.