THis is strange. Noticed that the plan for an insert with append hint is using 'load conventional' and not 'load as select' which indicates it is direct path.
This is in prod. In the same version of database in dev and qa, its fine. I have created a new table as a copy, and checked and it DOES engage direct path.
So , looks like existing tables it will not. I have an SR open but Oracle is no place with it.
Any ideas ?