Can't find answers on the web, so am trying my trusty trusted source.

I understand the concept of having the split fence to account for the amount of wood that is being removed. My question is why (if you have relatively thin stock) not open up a space behind the cutter and run the wood back the other way between the fence and the cutter. It seems to me that this is operating more like a jointer would. Are there reasons for not doing this, or is it an acceptable practice.
[Edit: "face plate" to "fence"]