So, are they implying that a direct given by an ATCO will/may inconvenience another ATCO's plan further down the route?
If so then that really is something for the ATC agencies to sort out but they should bear in mind that, over the year, a lot of fuel is saved by direct routing as there would be if we could reduce holding at destination, either racetrack or extended or reduced speed or long stepped descents (no names, no packdrill).
Glad I'm not the senior ATCO tasked with coming up with the cunning plan
