I guess I misspoke when I said clearance, I mean the route part of the clearance (which is usually the complicated part). I still have to get the C A F T, but it just becomes a verification at that point: C is easy tell if wrong, A is numbers, F is always the same (around here), and T is just numbers.
For me, having the route ahead of time helps substantially in getting the clearance, since sometimes I hear the waypoints...differently than how they pronounce it: one time I had to have them repeat the center name 3 times, I swore I kept hearing "WTF" (not abbreviated). It was Dubuque Center
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Having the route ahead of time makes most of the clearance delivery process a confirmation process instead of trying to make sure you heard right while writing, trying to make sense of it, and then read it back. YMMV of course.
Here's an example text I get:
N12345 from KFTW to K50 scheduled at 19:59Z on 01/01/2022 was accepted by ATC.
Route: KFTW DCT K50
Followed later by:
ATC route change for N12345 from KFTW to K50 scheduled at 19:59Z on 08/19/2022.
Old: KFTW DCT K50
New: KFTW FUZ BLECO K50
NOTE: The flight plan is not eligible for EasyAmend as the amendment is too close to the departure time. ATC will inform you of the new route when you pick up your clearance.
As for how to set it up:
In 1800WXBRIEF, make sure you have ATC notices activated, with a good phone number (and/or email):
If you read the description for that option, it says:
The ATC Notices service will send messages to the phone numbers and email addresses you select below when any of these events occurs:
(a) Your filed flight plan has been accepted by ATC
(b) An ATC change to your flight plan's route is detected
If this change is detected early enough, the text message or email you receive will include an "EasyAmend" option to easily amend your flight to the ATC assigned routing.
Amending your flight plan increases the likelihood of being "Cleared as Filed" by the ATC. However, IFR clearances are determined by ATC and circumstances may not always allow "Cleared as Filed" even with this amendment.
Leidos Flt Svc will send messages to the Text Message Phone Numbers you select below (Variable msgs/Flight). Standard text message rates may apply. Text HELP to 240-883-5487 for help. Text STOP to 240-883-5487 to cancel.
Note: Service available for IFR, MIFR, and YFR flight rules.
You can also have other services texted to you, like last minute WX and TFR changes. Just make sure the box around that option is green, and inside the option, that you have your phone number activated for it.