I had a very similar career period to kcockayne working for the last 20 years at Manchester airport where we had both BA and the now long gone BA Regional. Never, at any time have I ever encountered any issues with British Airways crews. I can't really see where the OP is getting this impression from. I also had very, very few 'disagreements' with pilots but I do remember that the old Britannia Airways could be hard work on occassion, but we are going back to the last century there!
Now I DO feel old!