Alexb2000
En-Route
I'm probably mis-remembering the clearance!
I enjoyed the mental exercise, it made me think. I'm out of currency with my IFR, I need to go up and do some approaches with an instructor/safety pilot.
Saaaay, if you weren't going to accept it, and just descend 2,700 (MSA in that area), how would you say it? Just "Cessna (blah), leaving 5,000, descending 2,700"?
I would just say unable to cross at 2400, my chart shows the MSA at 2700. Then let them correct it however they want.
Mistakes happen on both sides of the mic, but since it's your butt always double check every clearance and question anything you don't agree with.