B767-300 and 300 ER
Dispatch Dispatcher
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
The flight crew accepted a direct routing to VHP causing them to deviate more than 100nm off of flight planned route. I sent 2 or 3 ACARs advising them of this and I received no response from the flight crew. I elected not to pursue this any further and instead submit this ASAP report as not only a company policy was violated but joint operational control was also compromised. Flight crews need to stop taking massive direct legs without prior coordination with [Operations]. The FOM verbiage is extremely dated. With these transcon legs and winter winds; it is even more important for the crew to discuss possible directs with [Operations] prior to accepting them so they do not get into a fuel starvation event. Better discipline on the crews and a cultural change within flight management. Pilots should not be allowed to do whatever they please.
Air carrier Dispatcher reported they were unhappy with a flight crew that accepted a direct vector that took them off the wind-optimized flight plan routing.