172,
That's the problem with US Airspace that GA traffic can legally operate in this way without talking to ATC... They can also fly along in the airway... Without talking to ATC.
The NTSB advised against this sometime ago.... But the likes of AOPA are too strong for the FAA to change it to a more "European" style ATC system.
There is a reason they call the lower US airspace "Indian Country"