Where did the poster mention the North Atlantic or being out of radar cover ?
He might be flying a clockwork mouse and only transiting European airspace. A few hours in a jet, but 10 hours in a low and slow prop aircraft.
If the consensus is for pilots just to do what they want and ignore published procedures, then why bother to have the procedures in the first place ? Why not just have everything inbound to Heathrow, for example, do what it wants and call it 'Free Flight' ?
We could also disband ICAO and just have everybody do their own thing worldwide. Think of the savings !! $$$$$$$$$$$$