250 Below 10K in Foreign FIRs

[Kenny]

A buddy of mine who's a 738 Capt over in the UK says he can ask ATC for "Free Speed" which allows him to fly the barber pole under 10k, heading into STN.

 

[Huck]

I never do it, even if it's legal. Hit a bird and you're dead, or at least a lot worse off.

And I make it 10000 agl (at least when I remember to) because I once hit a bird at 330 indicated coming out of Quito at about 14,000 feet (only 5000 agl). Delaminated the radome and scared the pee pee out of me.