Since this has now turned into an ATC bitching session, let me join in.
Agree with Goldfish Jack regarding the addisional transmission for a request to be made.
Disagree with Master H.O.C.T regarding repeat transmissions. To label it as purely bad discipline is underestimating the real probem. There are obviously other comms taking place on the flight deck other than pilot/ATC which is as vital to safe flight operations. In congested air space like JHB AREA, there is virtually a continous flow of information between ATC and pilots. Probably 1% of these calls are directed at you, but you must still monitor all transmissions, which make addisional comms (cabin crew, checklists, PA announcements etc) on the flight deck almost impossible.
A sollution to this would be to open up more sectors to cut down on the number of transmissions per frequency, BUT then we will probably end up in the HOLD again!
