Verbal response to squawk code issuance?

[Gonzo]

I remember having one pilot really get quite abrupt with me on delivery over read back of QNH. BMI (so it's not just the yanks!) calls me up and gives out all the required info on first call except the QNH.

I pass the clearance and repeat the QNH.

He reads the clearance back, still no QNH.

"Midland xxx, please read back the QNH"

"I don't have to, Midland xxx"

"I'm sorry, but you do"

"No, I don't. That's the whole point of it being on the ATIS"

"No, I'm sorry, but it's on the ATIS so I don't have to transmit it to everyone individually. You are still required to read it back to me"

"Oh well, if you must, it's 1013, Midland xxx......what's the damn point in having an ATIS if you're not going to use it...."

Funnily enough, he was delayed for ten minutes at the holding point, and he had to give way to lots of a/c on the taxi out!