Just found this thread today, and feel it is worth a reply.
While many of you have made valid points about the continuity of ATC following through both VFR and IFR traffic may help smooth things through and improve safety, I feel this is not the real issue of this thread. Indeed I would almost go as far as to say, some posters may even be attempting to pass the buck-"I'll improve my safetly if....."
My own response would be to use this as a learning tool. If your flying is perfect and you have never came close to a zone bust and are always talking to the right people at the right time-excellant. For those other mortals out there, how has this affected your decisions in flight and what else has it made you think about?
Use this to improve flight safety for all. As has been said already, controllers do not HAVE to give VFR a clearence to enter a control zone-however it does help us if they do. We can only improve relations (and our use of airspace) by keeping our end of the bargain and doing things correctly. After all, if you are a contoller, given the choice do you allow a competant VFR pilot a further clearance-or one who is already pushing the limits of their clearance.
No, you do not have to talk to them, no you do not have to swqk mode c. Does it help? Well obvioulsy yes it does. Stop passing the buck and take some individual responsiblilty.
rant over,
c99