The stupid thing is that a non standard level if requested was always ‘operationally required’ anyway. Either for smooth air or to save fuel. Insisting on it being ‘operationally required ‘ (without defining what that was) was as smart as some of the ‘climb via SID’, ‘descend via STAR’ stuff.
Oh, I dunno, Keg. I’d often request nonstandard levels merely to assert my rugged individuality, or because I’m superstitious about certain numbers. And if they didn’t say “descend via STAR”, I would definitely throw in a couple of random 45 degree jinks and ignore all the charted altitude restrictions.
