.. to be a lot of recorded ATC chatter featuring BA pilots being sarcastic and even cynical with controllers - is that an unfair representation ?
Yes, it is an unfair representation and certainly a generalisation - but then I'm biased.
You say you've listened to recorded chat,: first question would be the source of the recording..is there just a tiny tiny chance that chatter was edited for effect (just like your average reality TV programme where the non confrontational stuff ends up on the editing room floor).
Perhaps it might be worth listening to 24 hours
unedited chatter from the likes of LHR ( note:there health warnings elsewhere about that)...and then giving your opinion, or failing that get the opinion of a controller...which you've had..
kockayne- thanks for your kind words.....