On Aug 18, 5:17 pm, Eric Greenwell wrote:
I'm curious about the reason for the request to go to FL165. Is there
Class A or some other Flight Level type airspace in that area that is
below 18,000 msl?

I don't know the answer to that question, but have had similar
experiences that make me less likely to contact ATC. If there's a good
reason, I'd be happy to comply, but they just ask you to go lower
(even though the airspace doesn't require it) and I then feel I have
to comply with them and am loathe to ask them the reason -- sometimes
controllers get a bit testy when questioned. But it usually seems not
needed. In my case, it's happened near Mt. Diablo in the SFO area and
I haven't seen any jet traffic nearby when asked.

This is an area that the group working with Reno ATC and the FAA might
look into since the midair near Minden last year shows the need for
better understanding on both sides.