If its a joint with only one person:
Then thats exactly how a joint works.. Animate in the fla then send it, then after the guy animates on it, he sends it back then you animate on it again... Its just like passing a ball... There is no effective way.
If its a joint collab:
Then you pass the fla to the next one, then the next guy, then the next..
Its pretty hard if there are alot of people, the file might get laggy