I think it's the reverse. Following illogical and confusing protocol is childish. For example...
Your job is to find out where the Pres is. So you ask someone who knows. And the person answers you "Airforce 1". Now, you have no idea what the actual plane the Pres is on, because by going with the illogical protocol (only for public and Hollywood use) of calling every plane the Pres is on "Airforce 1", you can never be sure WHICH plane he is on unless you have a follow up question i.e. "Yes, but which plane is Airforce 1 today?".
Which in the land of elves and fairys is fine. In the real world, where people hate making their job harder, is too important to make any mistakes (i.e. national security depends on it), you wont leave anything to chance, will not give any cause for confusion and will keep things simple and to the point:
Question: "Where is the President?"
Answer: "He's on KNEECAP." (because the President is on KNEECAP it does become "Airforce 1" according to protocol. This is duly noted, but not said. No discrepencies...no chance of confusion. End of story.
Thanks and goodnight.
p.s. Ask the guy with the football.
