As people stated above, for flight control checks, it would be quick and simple for all planes to have someone look at all primary flight control surfaces as we twist/push-pull the yoke and push both rudder pedals, before taxi-out.
It would take only about one or two minutes (provided that numerous ramp personnel were trained to scan: whether mechanics/engineers or not), and other than doing this again after de-icing procedures, it could have prevented such a near-tragedy.
Unfortunately, most airlines would probably not spend extra dollars to train ramp personnel for such a totally new concept. Some might not even like the extra printing cost for the paperwork, nor the extra one or two minute$ of fuel burn, as we create a two-minute delay for the pushback or powerback at the gate/stand next to us.
