"Mark D" wrote in message news:lYWLb.48857$ts4.47193@pd7tw3no...

What are the *real world* implications of flying into busy airspace IFR in a
piston single/light twin..this is all assuming that you do NOT have a way of
navigating direct (GPS), etc.

In the Detroit area, I'm always assigned a DP when one's available at
that airport (and there are, at DET, DTW, YIP, and PTK). I think that
has more to do with being handed off to the next facility than actual
separation.

I've never reached the final departure fix. I've always been assigned
direct destination, or destination via something else, while enroute.

On arrival, I've never been assigned a STAR. I'm usually asked what
approach I want. I've always been given direct for visual, or
assigned vectors to the final approach course unless I specifically
ask for own-nav or the full approach.

I believe that the transport aircraft are using the SID's and STAR's,
going high and fast, and ATC would rather keep me and my spam can away
from them by NOT assigning those procedures to me.

.... and that's just fine with me!