Oakum, settle down fella.
I agree and disagree with you. You aren't required to do the DP on the 10-9 page, but unless you state otherwise, that's what ATC expects you to do. This is not usually an issue, since other instructions are usually obtained. However, I can assure you if you're flying into a mountainous airport, ATC will most certainly expect you to fly that route. Otherwise, how will ATC know what you're doing if you're at a non-radar, uncontrolled airport? If you can maintain visual terrain seperation, then just let ATC know that you will be doing that.
Think about this as it will apply from a non-towered, uncontrolled airport. You pick up your clearance from center, and it's "cleared as filed". The route most likely will begin at XYZ VOR, and follow an airway to your next fix. The DP is designed to take you from the runway to XYZ VOR. If you don't folllow the DP, ATC will have no idea what your initial route of flight is (ie-how you will get on course). This becomes a problem if there are inbound IFR aircraft waiting to get into that airport. In most of the country this is a non-issue, but it becomes a huge deal at mountainous airports out west. I speak from experience when I tell you that you will receive an ear full from center if you just blast off and join a course without telling center your plans.
The moral of the story is, you can disregard a obstacle DP and maintain your own terrain seperation, but let ATC know what you're doing. Ask a controller from Salt Lake Center what they expect from IFR aircraft coming out of say....Butte, Montana, and I guarantee they'll tell you exactly what I'm saying.
You may or may not agree with my position on this one, but having spent a considerable amount of time flying into places like this, you may want to ask the controller before you start diregarding the back of a 10-9 page.
