Newps wrote:

But I suspect that it does help, in that it would be the odd IFR pilot
who could depart w/o a squawk.Â*Â*IfÂ*theÂ*towerÂ*clearedÂ*meÂ*forÂ*t/oÂ*w/o
givingÂ*meÂ*a squawk, I'd ask.Â*Â*ThisÂ*forcesÂ*theÂ*particularÂ*operatorÂ*t oÂ*know
thatÂ*it'sÂ*an IFR departure.

No?

Not having a transponder code doesn't mean you aren't IFR.Â*Â*

Of course not.

It'sÂ*simply
a gimmick by the tower to try and prevent an operational error.

I'm not likely to forget I'm IFR, even of the tower operator does (or hasn't
been informed, perhaps). I'm also not likely to take off IFR w/o a squawk.

What tower is apparently avoiding is an operation error, yes. They're doing
so by using my reluctance to depart IFR w/o a squawk. By forcing me to ask
for a squawk if it's not given, they're effectively having me remind the
tower operator that I'm IFR in the case where he or she has forgotten.

At least, that's my understanding of how this "gimmick" is working. It
doesn't make sense?

- Andrew