Okay, I swear this is the last question I have about using the PMDG 737, and it isn't even specific to that plane for that matter.  You'll all be glad to know that I completed my first flight yesterday, from Sacramento to Los Angeles, only about double the scheduled time!

Anyways, here's my question:

When flying the PMDG 737, or any other plane with an FMC for that matter, do you file an IFR route using the default "flight planner?".  If you just followed the VORs, then it would work to some extent, but it's impossible to follow the ATC's directions when flying a SID. 

So do you guys just ignore the radios until time to land, then try to get clearance for whatever runway you've decided on?

My attempts so far have been to file an IFR route, follow it until after takeoff, and then just wait for them to terminate it, because my flight plan in my FMC is different than what they're telling me.

Thanks in advance,

-HF

Heres a tool i use with VATSIM when i check the flightplans to make shure they are valid.

http://flightaware.com/analysis/route.rvt

enter departure ICAO and arrival ICAO and it gives you the most frequent flight plans for the airports.