"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm curious how important it really is to punch in 1200 as soon as the
controller instructs squawk 1200 as you approach for landing at an
uncontrolled field.

As others have said, if changing the transponder code is at all a problem
with respect to the safety of the flight, don't do it.

It may or may not cause problems for ATC. More likely not, but even if it
does, that's their problem. They should have given you the transponder code
change earlier, when you aren't so busy with your landing prep (I can only
imagine changing the code being a problem on short final...otherwise,
there's plenty of "downtime" during the traffic pattern and approach to do
it).

Pete