Is there a way to open the third row seats of the Cadillac Escalade (2014) while they are NOT inside the car?

 

Probably, but it's not going to be easily. the seats are too unstable without being mounted. (a liability, and probably why GM designed them to not be opened outside the vehicle) You could probably use the shaft of a screwdriver to simulate the locking mechanism clamping into the vehicle , but be warned, it could also be a real PIA to deactivate the latched position so that you could close them and re-install in the vehicle...