In all other cases, I rationalized that flying with flight following in
radar coverage negated the value of a VFR flight plan.

Agree 100%.

When flying in areas that have radar coverage -- and controllers who are
actually willing to provide Flight Following, which is virtually everywhere
in the Midwest outside of Chicago -- VFR flight plans are simply not worth
the bother.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"