i always expect a reply and 9 out of 10 times i get one. the odd time i don't i find myself pausing, not wanting to transmit my next instruction to another a/c incase this a/c's reply is just a couple of seconds late and I don't want to end up crossing with other stations and generally stamping on each others transmissions. Which as we all know is THE most annoying thing when you are really busy and have 5 things to do at once!! ha ha