This is not a change. It's been that way as long as I can remember - for decades. The things you mentioned in the OP were never supposed to be counted as field service time; they were supposed to be credited to the pioneer. It's just that most (even elders) did (or do) not understand that.
It's kind of like "public reproof". There's no such thing, but most (even elders) think there is and don't understand the concept of reproof.