often used by Maastricht on departures from London TMA requesting FLs 350 and above basicly to reduce the amount of co-ordination LACC has to do with us as 90% or more of the traffic is below 330 when entering our airspace. Furthermore as traffic in the middle sector is normally lower at that time it gives us more possibilities to solve conflicts in the SPY/PAM area.Climb above FL330 is normally given within 3 - 4 minutes or at the latest just after he coast.
Airlines prefer it as the alternative would be restrictions.
Lon More,
More than just an ATCO