I haven't said anything that isn't factual. I regularly run up and down the coast in my PA34, and from my point of view, it is a pain in the a$$ going through Newcastle. I get denied roughly 50% of the time and have to go over Scone.
And being very familiar with MDX, (not trying to big note myself, but more familiar than most) but the PIC made the choice not to wait. Clearance was forthcoming, and for want of 2-3 minutes, he chose the path he did.
Yes, I did check my PMs, and I'll get to it...