Mxsmanic wrote:

I think it's safe to say that the average layman has never heard of
ATC or flight plans. They just think that pilots take off and fly [...]

Perhaps where you are. Here in the USA, ATC makes the news all the
time, especially in the Northeast. Shows about 9/11 also heightened
awareness.

Every time a plane gets into trouble, talking news heads are "shocked"
that the pilot wasn't talking to air traffic control, or didn't have
their permission. Just look at the hubbub over the Cirrus-building
crash recently in New York City.

Kev