Out of LGA, westbound past ELIOT...why do we get stuck at 17,000ft for 50+ miles before we can get the climb? Wastes a lot of gas. The other problem is with VFR aircraft. I have had 3 RA's that I have had to climb or descend for at 17,000 feet out of LGA. Departure will call out a King Air at 16,500 or 17,500...its always head on and I end up having to deviate on my altitude due to an RA. The best part is that the same controller is normally talking to the King Air guy and never asks either of us to turn 10 left for traffic. I realize that you are not required to seperate VFR from IFR traffic, but if they are only 500 feet sperated, I'm going to get the RA and have to cause you more work (plus I have to fill out paperwork that night when I get to the hotel...boo!).