I disagree that it's "just silly" or that it's only "newly minted
private pilots" bragging to buds that they're up there. Around here,
lots of people fly close to pattern altitude. If I'm in the pattern, I
appreciate knowing what they're staying or continuing on vs. having to
guess.

The example I used was 4500 feet, which, around here, puts you almost 4000'
AGL -- way above pattern altitude.

If you're at, say, 2000 feet, a call to let people know that you're in the
neighborhood is probably a good idea.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"