Flarepilot
You sound like a real nice guy.
Can you explain this to me please:
"I once reported someone for getting an instrument clearance without an instrument rating...the FAA investigated and took them to lunch, telling them not to do that again."
You're trying to tell me, fact a pilot receives a clearance and reads it back, he is in trouble if the clearance is not legal? Don't you read back a clearance, check if you can carry out the clearance, legally? If not call it in and say it can't be done.
I have heard of this sort of strange behavior before. Heard an FAA guy pitched up in Aspen, Col years age and violated at least 3 pilots for taking clearances, then upon review, the departure couldn't be carried out legally for that aircraft on that day.. Or is it in the US you have to know every departure in your head, for every airport you visit?