The controller was not set up for success by one of my biggest pet peeves: only using number vice full callsign on the radio.
The one that stuck out was the guy answering "77" instead of "Jetblue 77" Im guessing was definitely the possibility for multiple 77s out there.
This is applicable to this scenario as well as the CAS stack.
Edit: got nothing but good things to say about JFK tower when transitting their airspace in a Cobra. It was almost as good as holding airliners so the Marines could fly through, great people.