ATC response!
I hope you are given a level to expedite through as it is being taught more and more - obviously if you only have a few 1000ft you could give us more than expediting for 10000ft. If you are close to maximum rate already, tell us that, and say you can give us 500ft maximum etc more for only 2000ft if that is the case, and that you will fall to only 500ft/min if you do thereafter. We are really in your hands for this, and if you cannot give us much more, there should always be a second plan by the controller keeping all safe. Levelling off is a good compromise.....