That may be the case but 'elf an' safety decrees mean that the dispatcher (now called a Turnround Manager in newspeak) has to visually check the stand for obstructions because pilots are too stupid to do so for themselves like wot we did in the olde days.
Its worse than that, they're there to ensure we set the Park brake, cos we cant be expected to remember everything. They'll have them walking in front with red flags soon.