747
USA flying... why the fu*** do they have to be so different!
How many PPLs are there in the US compared to the UK?
To answer your general query with a general answer, I would say it boils down to attitude.
The airspace in the US is owned by all. To gain access to the airspace you have to prove you are safe, and that's about it. In the US you obtain a "certificate", not a "licence". This is really just splitting hairs, but pilots in the US don't think they should be
licenced by a government giving them permission to fly. They have a certificate which proves they are
competant to fly. It really is a far better attitude and they have a far better system.
Most of your questions are related to ATC services. ATC in the US don't think they are there primarily for the jet traffic, they also have the "airspace is for everybody" attitude.
Also GA is quite powerful in the US, they don't get pushed around easily. I'd suggest you don't go to the US with the "why the f**k are you different" attitude. GA pilots and ATC in the US are a very friendly lot who will fall over themselves to help you out, you will only confuse them and you will end up looking silly
Don't worry about the small stuff and have a great time.