Squawk "Alpha"
Occasionally I hear clearances at major European hubs instructing "Squawk Alpha ****". Now I know they don't mean it, if you launched into airways with mode A only they'd get terribly agitated, so WTF do they ask you to do it?
This seems a curious contrast to UK low level radar coverage (in the open FIR) where they are punctilious about asking for "Squawk mode Charlie ****"
Answers on a postcard please...