"Stan Prevost" wrote in message
...

If I put the desired altitude in the plan, then the controller knows that
I want 12500 and can tell me to "maintain VFR On Top at or below 12500".
If I don't put it in, then he has to ask me what altitude I want or just
arbitrarily assigns me something and then if it's not what I want we have
to go through more radio exchange.

How is it better to not include the altitude?


An alternative clearance is issued when necessary to ensure separation from
other traffic or airspace. For example, if the controller had traffic at
nine thousand a proper clearance would be; "Climb to and report reaching
VFR-on-top, no tops reports. If not on top at eight thousand maintain
eight thousand and advise." Remember, you're just another IFR aircraft
until you report reaching and are cleared to maintain VFR-on-top.

To issue "maintain VFR On Top at or below 12500" the controller would have
to know the tops were 11,500 or lower. Why use a restriction of 12,500? To
separate from IFR traffic at 13,500 or VFR traffic at 13,000?