I would if I was aircraft #2 to ask for the altitude of possibly conflicting traffic. Such is certainly warranted.
However, the controller is correct that chastising pilots (either by another pilot or by ATC) on the operational frequency is not only unwarranted but jeopardizes safety. In this case, there's little control a pilot can do to deal with other pilots. If a controller acts unprofessionally in such a matter it can be dealt with off-line.
I was coming into IAD one day (I was based there for many years). My wife was with me. The controllers at IAD by and large are pretty smart about mixing things like the 172 I was flying with the jet traffic, but I got one of those odd guys who insisted on putting us in at the "gate" with the faster jet traffic. I'm used to this and was maintaining best forward speed into the runway though we were very close to a 747 ahead of us. Since the 172 doesn't need much runway and the first turnoff on 19L at IAD is 4500' down the runway, I just planned my approach to touch down past the fixed distance markers where most jets touch down. Even so I started to pick up what I perceived to be wake turbulance. Another jet was on approach behind me. As I touched down, the controller cleared a waiting departure to be in position and hold behind me (this was going to be very tight). With a fast approach and a late touchdown it was going to be tough to make the first turnoff. The controller asked if I was going to make it and I told him that I was uncertain but I'd try.
At this point the controller goes ballistic on the frequency. I ignore him while I stand on the brakes and manage to switch into the taxiway intersection (fortunately since this is both a high speed going in the direction we were landing as well as a high speed in the opposite direction the taxiway mouth was wide and I managed to exit at the very far end. As soon as he stopped talking I announced that I was clearing.
He had already at this point cancelled the landing clearance for the following aircraft and launched into a tirade about me "not being able to make up my mind" which was plenty unnerving while I was still slowing down on the high speed.
Fortunately, I knew from discussions with controllers at a previous "raincheck" at the tower what to do. I stopped passed the line and cleaned up and called ground for taxi.
Take note of the time and frequency. Call the tower sup (or facility QA in some sites) the next business day and make an inquiry.
I got a nice apology from the facility. It was the controller who made a number of errors and as I had pointed out, no matter whether it was my error or not, his over the air tirades were NOT acceptable.
