Tony_EM.
I most definately agree with your sentiments about centralisation of load control. It is another example of the systematic problems encountered when bean counters are in control.
You could probably get by with well trained gate staff checking the FMC, as you say, but I believe the most worrying problem is cultural. I'd say we've been in the same boat in different parts of the world, especially when it comes to "foreign" (to us) carriers. Language barriers can cause confusion & mistakes down a phone line & I used to have faith that any mistakes could & would be picked up by the operating crew. This raises yet another issue, whereby we end up depending on the operating crew too much. I guess the last thing they should have to worry about is what's been done on the ground, out of their control. Surely they should have the confidence to rely on the load controller & the ramp t/l, albeit with the usual checks & balances.
As an aside, I wonder how FD crews would react to loadsheets, via ACARS, being fed directly into the FMC? I don't know if it is possible, or feasible for that matter, but if their only job in this area was thorough verification, would it be worthwhile?
Just a thought.