Offchocks,
I used F260 to illustrate a point. It's still possible to be cleared from this jet cruise level to an altitude during low activity quiet hours, where the ATC sectors tend to be large in volume. But there's no real difference to my point whether it's from F120 or F260. In fact, I was cleared from 260 to 6000 feet recently, but the place had a transition level, and the local rules do say that you go to QNH approaching transition level (this was not in NA). But that's besides the point. What do locals do in Europe, within the context of European State procedures and regulations?
Thanks,
Scud