Setting 'standard' at transition altitude appears to still be firmly entrenched in 'continental' SOPs but most UK operators, perhaps following BA's lead(?), set 'standard' as soon as clearance to a flight level is obtained. It is undoubtedly a robust means of avoiding flight level busts. Of course, 'airmanship' (as much a dying trait as 'common sense') might dictate that where terrain might be a factor during departure QNH might be retained a little longer and set passing MSA. As always, flexibility (another trait which is gradually disappearing from the mental make-up of many of today's automaton crews) is the key.
