I understand that the controllers were stretched that night, but regardless of how stretched they were, they should remain helpful and professional. The Virgin pilot calls in very professionally, states the situation clearly and even suggests a way back to the ramp. Yet for whatever reason, the controller is being an unhelpful, sarcastie jerk.
Pilot: "Unfortunately, we've got ice on the wings so were going to have to go back to the stand"
Pilot: "Can we proceed straight ahead, it's kilo kilo I presume, isn't it?"
Controller: "I don't know sir"
What kinda response is that from a controller? I DON"T KNOW? He's a controller - it is his job to safely get planes from point A to point B.
Pilot: "I said to you sir that we've been out here for 3 hours and we've picked ice up on the wings so we've got to go back to the stand for deicing, what would you like us to do?"
Controller: "Go back to the ramp"
Clearly it was a long night, but "Go back to the ramp" is not helpful to a pilot in a storm in a line of planes on an active taxiway at JFK when moving a 747, IMHO. You can't just drive like its a Costco parking lot. His sarcasm and attitude is really unnerving. I think the pilot was remarkably controlled given the absolutely unnecessary crap he was taking from the controller and other pilot (clip 3) He's ultimately responsible for the safety of the passengers and plane and its his call to get deiced.