Australopithecus,
*route proving: why? What is learned ferrying aircraft all over routes already well lubricated by previous similar types?
I guess the answer to that would be easily established by identifying the formal route proving reports that have made nil comment (which if planned and executed properly
should be the outcome) versus those that have identified real issues. Having flown a few and had to cover our tracks because documentation, ground handling, airport liaison, etc wasn't completed or up to scratch, I'd say they serve a purpose as a huge financial incentive not to accept 'near enough is good enough'.
Of course, if the FOI on board has no idea (which anecdotally seems to be on the increase), then it is less defensible as a concept.