Yeah, there are things we all try to do to mitigate problems as much as possible. If you radio Ramp at 30nm or more out to find your gate and you tell Tower which entry point on landing, by which time the gate has changed.........you are back to square one.
If Tower and Ground had a screen they could glance at* when you vacate the runway and see where your gate is, they could simply issue taxi instructions without the extra "which is your gate" question and answer. clogging up the airwaves. Many other airfields manage to do this, and I assume that KJFK have very experienced ATCOs, so surely not beyond their capability ?
My point is ATC should be directing us, not the other way round.
I usually find KJFK difficult, and assumed it was me being thick, but others are saying they find it difficult too.
*Actually, isn't the gate written on the strip, electronic or otherwise?