"Icebound" wrote in message

Since 000 is not a real direction... (North is 360) ..., is there some
significant history why easterly/westerly cruising altitudes were chosen
on

Of course it is a real direction - its the same direction as 360. Its
merely a piece of terminology that is no longer in use for one reason or
another. If you understand the information and concept being conveyed, then
the communication has been successful. I don't see one mode as more or less
'intuitive' than the other.