Those cost index mach numbers are not the numbers published in our books. We expect you to cruise at your published figures, if not, let us know
We don't have the time to check every flight plan!
If that is the case then its a systemic problem. Not ATC's, not the pilots. If there is nothing that requires the pilot to tell atc their flight planned speed, and there is nothing requiring atc to read the flight planned speed off the flight plan, the system needs changing so that
a) pilots are required to give their mach number on change over or
b) atc are required to read the flight planned mach number.
Putting the responsibility with one or the other is the only way to avoid a big fat grey area.
Can anyone answer this,why do the company include it in the flight plan if it is not used?