There is an assumption we all, or most of us anyway, make is for consistency.
Assumptions is the mother of ****ups.
Like I said,
its a systemic problem. Not ATC's, not the pilots.
I'm guessing that the assumption is reliant on Virgin contacting the atc servive provider and telling them about the change to their flight planning methods,
or, every single pilot telling atc that they are doing something new. If it's the former then the system is reliant on one person doing something that they aren't legally required to do. Not much room for human error there.
If it's the latter, well, nice in theory but it'l never happen because too many individuals are involved with too many opinions and different views on what their priorities and duties are.
If it's a safety risk then the system needs changing. If it's just a few people having a whinge then no worries,thats what forums are for, leave it as it is and rock on
