Forgive my ignorance, but why, in non terrain critical situations, do we not descend to FL100? I'm speaking more in Europe as the US has the TL at 180, but surely if the MSA/MEA is around 5000, it makes ATC separation a lot easier?
In a real situation over London, I think i'd want to descend to either 090 or 080 (depending on direction) as it means I won't smash into something else! Or am I missing something here..