I guess you can leave the "was" and the "at's" out, but does it really make any difference?
Yeah it sorta does...although I will admit that it sorta does because those of us in airlines get
HAMMERED on line checks for this sort of thing.
Too it is a bit of a slippery slope..what else will people add in because 'does it really matter'?
What is so hard about "Brisbane center, XYZ, Clapp 46, 9000, Drippy 29".
Maintaining/Climbing/descending are appropriate and correct first transmission after a frequency change. If for no other reason than a final 'gotcha' for correct understanding of clearance limit....REALLY important in places like Asia/ME etc.
Radio discipline is a hot button issue at my airline at present.