"Andrew Gideon" wrote in message
online.com...

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?


Only if all IFR pilots refuse to launch without a discrete beacon code. Not
all will do that.