Having worked in met for over 40 years I can see some of your points. However I have yet to see a Special from any of the civil airports which are now done by ATC etc not proffessional Observers and thus a great gap in the actual weather leaves forecasters not getting valuable information.
I can recall when we also used to get info. from Aircrew but that had dswindled away before I left the met. office
Duggymac