Pilot Pete shares my view which unfortunately appears to be only valid for 50% of the pilot populus. Saying "REQUEST" leads to a painfully long-winded ear-ache of RT time. How about one of those sticky thread vote things at the top of this page, entitled......
"All ATCOs say YAY or NAY to wanting to hear "FastBird 123 REQUEST" before spitting out the bl**dy question?"
PS I also agree saying "with you" DOES MY HEAD IN.