The only arrogant person identified so far in this thread is you Ireland105. You're obvioulsy neither a pilot nor an ATCO. You don't seem to know JFK and you obviously didn't know that 31R was not closed. Personally, I didn't find the Captain's r/t arrogant or demeaning. He had a problem of some sort, made a decision and communicated his intentions clearly. No time for diplomacy or discussion at that point in his approach.