To answer your questions Manwell.
Talking to ATC/other aircraft lets you know when/where to be looking out for traffic. I can assure you your eyes are not near good enough.
I honestly do believe that our traffic levels are low enough to allow everyone to participate. GA annual hours are way down on what it was in the late 70s early 80s. Places like BK are a ghost town compared to when I was learning there in 80-83.
'You don't mind relying on a third party to do things as critical as
looking out for you.' Sorry Manwell...emotive rubbish
We don't pay for it VFR and in the US they don't pay for it IFR either. I personally feel that for Private Ops IFR should be free as well...see my last post re fuel taxes that we currently pay. At what level user pays becomes appropriate is another question...given that the system exists only for reasons of commerce and has been paid for over and over again perhaps only Regional Airlines and above should pay modest airways charges.
Chuck.