It seems it another case of technology actually causing problems, where it exists it creates a great help, but then people get used to operating that way, where it doesnt exist it just then causes problems, as the tech becomes the norm it will be great.

Bit like when microwave's first came out, ready meals for one wouldnt be much use to buy your student offspring, if they didnt have a microwave! LOL

Ident on the ground
 

Some years ago while on exchange with the USMC I was part of an exercise involving USMC F4s transitting from base through a busy air corridor controlled by the FAA to a Military Training Area off the coast of California. We were given specific squawks for the transit and the Boss was looking forward to a good exercise.

However, one of the Radar Intercept Officers thought he would get ahead of the game by doing some pre-flight checks early. Switching on the transponder he cycled through Modes 1, 2, 3A and Ident. All appeared well so he shut the system down. Two hours later when we were ready for the off we were politely informed by our FAA controller that their system had acquired our aircraft during the transponder checks and had activated the flight plan.
:ugh:
According to the FAA we had already transitted to the training area, done the job and returned to base. We had no choice but to delay 24 hours because of other tasks. The Boss was most displeased and I think everyone learned a valuable lesson about fully understanding the consequences when squawking ident on the ground.