I agree with you as well. Obviously, there is the occasional tool but most of the time people are friendly or at the very least quiet but know what they are doing. I think this whole "The random dungeon finder is full of the worst people in the world" sentiment is overblown where 1 or 2 bad experiences is cited as the example instead of the majority of runs that go smoothly. I also think that what people don't understand is that failing is part of the experience. Failing is a good thing. The time that every pug you join has a 100% success rate is the time that doing 5-mans start feeling like a chore instead of an actual challenge.

I am not sure why the difference exists, but I think it has to do with the badge system.

I have 3 85's that I haven't played in weeks. I started a new warrior tank and have leveled mostly by running randoms (probably 95% of my XP) up to current level 62. I haven't run into hardly any unfriendly people and everyone is very cordial after a death or a wipe.

That seems to change at 85. I don't know if people are just burned out or if I just get a lot of "I'm only here for the end boss badges" people, but everyone seems much ruder at max level. I don't exactly know what the difference is. Heroics seem to bring out the worst in people. DPS that don't interrupt and blame the healer, tanks that don't mark, everyone who doesn't follow the marks and healers who won't heal you for getting accidental damage(not just standing in fire).

I've played all 3 roles at 85 and I just don't get the meanness. I miss the LK heroics for the fact that at least you get it over with in 15 minutes, instead of an hour of listening to whining and complaining, waiting for another healer after the last one vanished and DPS who decide once they enter the dungeon is a good time to "gotta go eat dinner, brb"

LK heroics weren't fun, but at least they weren't miserable.