Request Depart North, South, Etc...does it matter?

[Mistro]

Most of the time I request clearance to take off in a certain direction, I get sent to a runway that requires me to make a u-turn. If I want to go south, they send me to the end that sends me taking off north. Is it because the airports are sending all planes to take off at one certain runway at certain times? In that case, why are there options to depart east, west, north or south. I even tried changing my takeoff option and get sent to the same runway. Just looking for understanding.

[jasonfriedlin]

The reason is the ATC has a certain runway active, usually because of the direction of the wind.  You always take off into the wind.  When you are flying VFR the tower wants to know what you direction you are planning on going so they can keep you separated from other traffic in the vicinity of the airport.  If the wind is calm, there is a default runway programmed into the sim that will be in use

[BAW0343]

I think they put in that option to attain some realism. In the real world ATC provides separation to most aircraft flying, so its nice to know where your going so they can hand you off to the proper controller upon your departure.