Hey all, first post in over a year on simviation.

I've been flying the PMDG 737-700 throughout the U.S a lot recently, and I wondered what everyone's solution was to deal with the simulator's ATC system.  

Typically the only interaction I have with the ATC is request to taxi for departure, which will give me the active runway, but other than that our discussions are minimal.  Flying a FMC route with a STAR and IAP never matches up with the in-sim ATC, so what does everyone do to compensate?   Open an IFR plan and try to match it up?  Fly in Vatsim?  Ignore the ATC?

If only you could talk to centers and get a STAR and approach clearance in-flight.