Only forced to depart VFR once in 3 decades of Part 121 flying.

Pre cell phone days, the RCO was broken, and the land lines were also down. It was in the middle of nowhere, so no conflicting traffic except for possible turkeys in the vicinity of the runway. Which make the runway look like a pillow factory exploded when ingested (personal experience). I digress.

I appreciate their thought process, but it wouldn't be for me.

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Someone on the book thread recommended "Collision Course" about the ATC strike in the 1980s (I'm 1/2way through it..it's excellent).

It begins with a story about a midair collision between a United DC-8 and a TWA Constellation in Idlewild (JFK, EWR, LGA) back in 1960.

Due in no small part to antiquated ATC equipment and regular failures of it.

Now United is reducing flights from EWR by 10% and asking it's own passengers to pick up a United flight out of another airport.

History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme, as the saying goes.