Anyway, for those of you who are not based anywhere near the DC ADIZ
here is my recommendation:

File IFR.



Yeah, that's the "safe" way. But having done it VFR (to Gaithersberg) I can
say VFR is not a big deal. Just be sure to get your squawk code before
entering. If you're on flight following, that makes it easier. If you popped
up (like from 1500 feet), do so eariler rather than later, to give them time to
screw up and fix it again.


As with anything, it's not the making of mistakes, it's the magnitude
of the mistake and how far you go before it is discovered.


Yes. But in this case, the "magnitude" of the mistake is artificially inflated
by the stupid system. It still falls on the pilot, but let there be no mistake
here - if the rules said that pilots had to wiggle their wings three times and
toss a carrot out the window before gaining admittance to the zone, not doing
so would be an "equally" big mistake. For the same inane reason.


This is a
mistake on par with not preflighting an aircraft before the first
flight of the day. To me, this is like forgetting to get dressed in
the morning before walking outdoors.


Not preflighting can get you killed due to the laws of physics. Not getting
dressed (at least on a nice day) has no consequences other than the arbitrary
and artificial ones society imposes. Ditto this %@*$ TFR situation.

There is a difference.

What's broken is the assumption that ATC is staffed...

What's broken is the assumption that this really DOES stop pink elephants.

Jose

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