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Assuming you want to use a photo in a manner that the Image License Agreement authorizes, the ONLY time permission is needed is for those few photos that require you to ask before you are able to download the full size version.

When you are browsing the thumbnail images, there is a dot to the left of the image name at the bottom of the thumbnail. A black dot means you need to submit a request to download the photo. A gray dot means you must contact the photographer to use the image in a publication (limited restriction).

The white dots have no restriction beyond the standard restrictions of this site. (restriction free)

Looking at the dots tells you if you can download before you try. That helps reduce the frustration.

I have never had a reply when asking permission to download so I could just have the photo. That indicates to me that if you don't have a specific use for it they would rather not let you have the photo.

Re 2 above, only the black dot is significant in that you need permission before you can download a full size image. Everything else does NOT require asking permission before downloading and using a photo, whether the use is public, private, commercial, etc.

Anyone stating the contrary is misinformed.

Under a picture in Browse/View Photo you will see in the green restriction box under the photo the following:

White dot…Standard restrictions apply.

Grey dot…Standard restrictions apply and must be notified and credited when using the photo for any public work.

http://www.sxc.hu/forums/topic/12673 should give the guidance you are looking for. The important point to be made though is that a request to use a photo is not needed except for those bearing a black dot and any photo usage that is not authorized to be used under the terms of the site's Image License Agreement.