This is typical of airline mid management, but especially pervasive at JB. Justify your job by making it seem important. Anybody can call an applicant and confirm answers/numbers from an app. When you or your boss, however, gives the power of the rubber stamp approval, now you and your position are more important. In all likelihood the person stamping or not stamping "YES" to the phone interview is an entry level HR person with just enough power to wield it...and they will...to some one else's detriment. If they don't then they are just simply a data analyst, and not a talent acquisition expert. What sounds better on their next resume?