Tobzalp,
You have distorted the reality considerably.
In the olden days, these FDC people took a printed flight plan, transmitted by a qualified briefing officer, and transposed the relevant detail to a format (flight strip) usable by the ATC.
The ATC issued clearances and did their control “wizardry” and was ultimately totally responsible for the flight.
Upon aircraft departure, the FDC prepared strips were delivered to the controllers along with the printed copy of the flight plan because the ATC had to check the strips and time additions before use.
The FDC was not in any way involved in “issuing a clearance”.
As an aside,
What was said in Melbourne last week by the ATC Group GM et al in reference to the staff shortages and the “plan” to overcome same?
Avnet reported that they recognise staff planning has been deficient in Airservices for some time. Now THERES a statement fer u!
I venture to say that cloth ears were not in short supply in CB as the rank and file have been saying this for ages!
Oh, BTW, What section of AA had a "top gun" manager cull over 50% of staff, so much so that TRAINING could not be kept up with and since the manager in quesition is now reeking havoc in other areas (and possibly the subject of another PPRune Thread), has recently realised that they cannot accomplish all their TRAINING work and are now seeking more staff? unfknblvbl? no, not with this lot...