Is a MAF car supposed to be able to run (albeit not correctly) with the MAF disconnected?

What about if it's connected, but not in the airstream (ie. elbow to the intake removed)?

Just curious since I have had the car running with the MAF disconnected, and was surprised when a mechanic had left it connected but removed it and the car died.

 

If you unplug it the engine will still run, albeit in "limp home" mode where it basically looks at the TPS for the majority of it's input. The ECM will know it's disconnected and do it's best to run the engine without it.

If you have it connected but no air is going through it the engine will definitely die. ECM sees it's the MAF is physically present so it trusts it's reading, which, obviously, would be wrong if it's not in the airflow, the ECM cuts way back on the fuel to match "zero" air going through the MAF and the motor dies.