Spoilt Brat Syndrome?
Are we spitting the dummy Dick, just because you can't get your own way EVERYTIME?
8500' is a VFR level - could it be that the weather was unsuitable for VFR at 8500' or lower which precluded VFR flight at those levels? What was the destination?
PMQ is also a shorter distance over water, and, if you are really worried about a successful ditching, fly a twin, - oh yeah, we did that to LHI once but it turned into a one way trip if my memory serves me correctly!
Get over it dick, YOU GOT IT WRONG AGAIN!
BSB
PS - Maybe you just pi$$ed off one too many controllers!