"Richard Kaplan" wrote in message
s.com...
"Geo. Anderson" wrote in message
...

Checkride in about three weeks & I am trying to figure out cruise
clearance. Simple enough, cleared between the MEA and the altitude


It is described well enough in the Pilot/Controller Glossary in the AIM:

CRUISE - Used in an ATC clearance to authorize a pilot to conduct flight
at
any altitude from the minimum IFR altitude up to and including the
altitude
specified in the clearance. The pilot may level off at any intermediate
altitude within this block of airspace. Climb/descent within the block
is to
be made at the discretion of the pilot. However, once the pilot starts
descent and verbally reports leaving an altitude in the block, he may
not
return to that altitude without additional ATC clearance. Further, it is
approval for the pilot to proceed to and make an approach at destination
airport and can be used in conjunction with:

[snip]

I'm working on my ifr. I've always been confused with this part about
"once the pilot starts descent and verbally reports leaving an altitude in
the block, he may not return to that altitude without additional ATC
clearance."

I'm thinking, why report leaving an altitude? That just restricts what you
can do later. Or at least makes you ask for it back. What would make the
pilot verbally report leaving an altitude in the block?