UK is much more formal and accurate about reading back clearances and instructions
In the US if you do not read back clearances exactly, you are not going anywhere, same as the UK. You also get routed around, sent to intersections you were not planning on going to, but thats IFR, and you should be prepared for it.
Class D airspace in the US is effectively the ATZ, not the same as Class D in the UK which is equivilent to class C in the US (towered airports which are not associated with class B or C are class D).
When requesting departure in the US the correct phrasology is 'XXXX ready for departure', and although some of the smaller airports may be a bit more lax in their ATC speak, you generally find it is comparable to over in the UK. Also as the UK doesn't have a 'Cleared for the option', you still have the option to touch and go or to land. If you intend a touch and go, yet things don't pan out quite right, then you land...simple! As PIC you are responsible for the safety of you aircraft and all that.
In my opinion QFE is a waste of time. As PIC you should know your altitude above ground at all times, and using QFE just adds to the complications. I have never used QFE in the UK. Besides most of the time flying IFR with an IR you'll be flying above the transition altitude and will be on 1013mb (29.92")...
Cheers
EA
