Dear MS
In the UK at least, on a Saturday, most danger areas are inactive and we have off-route available for such direct tracks at FL245+. There are a few in the South that remain active, but I believe most of them are low level. However, as said by 1261, the French may operate completely differently.
The other thing is that although as a pilot you may be aware of some of the picture via TCAS or R/T, the controller will have a bigger picture and may be looking further ahead (i.e traffic from other directions/sectors). However, you are unlikely to receive an explanation from the French as to why. I hear that they very rarely accept a/c on headings
The problem at Swanwick is getting into a sector in the first place, not your route within it.
Hope this helps
