re: Are orchestral conductors full of shite?

You practice so much that all you need is the count-off and then you listen to those around you.
After that point, conductor is there for reference and/or cues.

What you don't see from a conductor at a concert is the hours of full band practice where they meticulously go over tempos/volume/balance/tonality with each section and as a whole band.
At the time of the concert, the band barely realizes the conductor is there because they're so use to it.