Does listening out really give you 'an idea of controller workload'? What about the controller workload that one cannot listen to (landlines, direct voice comms, coordination, setting-up checks, taking landing fees, making tea etc)...
I'm not psychic but listening out first is good airmanship. A perfectly quiet frequency gives an idea of controller low workload in the same way that "chock-a-block" radio chat gives some idea of high workload. If I hear three or four inbounds I'll often keep quiet or go to another agency.
Tell me your frequency and next time I'm passing I'll just butt in, without listening out first, if you'd prefer.
