Nope , pilots don't have a god given right to short cuts.As far as I am concerned , I've been trained and now train student ATCO's following this very simple rule : make use of directs when it suits YOU.
You can always challenge me when/if I deny your request for a direct.
You might get an answer , but not necessarily.
And quite frankly , I don't think I care too much whether the answer you might get satisfies you or not.
