In a previous article, S Herman said:
Assuming VMC conditions, is it legal for a current IR pilot to file an
IFR flight plan, and fly the flight *solo* wearing a hood, to meet
currency requirements? Of course the hood would be off for take-off

No. ****ing. Way.

Even on an IFR flight plan, in VMC the PIC is responsible for separation
from other aircraft. How are you going to do that with a hood on? How
are you going to see and avoid VFR traffic who ATC has no contact with and
no separation responsibility for?

How could you have passed your Private Pilot written without understanding
that ATC has no responsibility for separation between VFR and IFR traffic?

--
Paul Tomblin http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
"Boromir, with three arrows in your chest, you ARE the Weakest Link, g'bye!"