OK let me start by saying I'm not defending someone using pitot tubes or static probes for handles or steps (by the way, the probes under the windows appear to be static probes, the pitot tubes are located just behind the radome on the ATR). But there is another possibility at work here. Since there have been several airworthiness directives aimed at pitot tubes recently, could that have been why 10 ATR's were taken out of service? Or part of a required inspection? Also, I don't believe the cockpit windows of an ATR42-72 are able to be opened in the first place. Here are 2 different pictures of an ATR flight deck showing all the cockpit windows.

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Binte...e2f67b65502760

http://www.airliners.net/photo/Linea...e2f67b65502760