How do you deal with idiots in a pug?

For the abusive players, largely, you just want to ignore them [and /ignore so you don't have to put up with them again].
If they get offensive [and all it takes is for you to find what they're saying as offensive], then you can report them - don't do a "reported!" comment in the chat, just don't respond at all. A GM can then look back at the chat log and see whether any action should be taken.
While some may think that this is extreme, it must be remembered the game is rated Teen, and the EULA itself states that offensive behaviour is not permissible, even with maturity filters.

In short: Don't even try and shut them up. Ignore them, and if they go too far, report them.

The real issue is this: most people don't want to play with characters of lesser skill or gear than themselves.

Yes, we all have pugs, but think of it this way: if I've been playing the game for 5+ years, I've probably come across THOUSANDS of new players. At some point, I don't have any interest in taking it slow, talking the noobie through pulls, compensating for them, etc.

This is especially frustrating for others if you're the tank (as you're the one setting the pace). They're not there for a pug-tastic adventure, they are there to get it done as quickly as possible.

The best way to deal is to:

1. Warn the group that you're rusty and just coming off a break

2. Ask if that's a problem and let them know they can vote to kick you if it is (most people will respond better if they're warning up-front, plus if you do get kicked, just requeue)

Basically all that you want to do in that situation is just say if you dont wanna keep on dying let me do my job or leave and believe me as a fellow tank myself ive had lots of times when someone dies and blames the tank right away for getting knock backed into a patroller and dying and then your group just turns upside down as you're getting flanked by groups because people start to run in different directions and then your healer leaves and its another 15 minutes in the que for a new one...

Being nice isn't going to work. Here's how you handle this first P.M. him and say your sorry for what you've done and you think he's a great Lock. When he trusts you walk into the next room P.M. everyone BUT him and tell them to stay outside for a sec you'll run in and pull it. P.M. the lock and tell him to go all out you can keep aggro this time. Do "jack" and let the monster kick his ass then let everyone else join in and beat the boss. Afterwards you say "why did you come in?" and you'll say you P.M.ed everyone telling them not too.

What i general experience from people who treat others like scum even though you inform that you are rusty or new at a specific role is, they seem to have the patience of a 2 years old and won't have it, the best option for you is to try and remove them from the group. If not, just ignore them and go your own pace, if they keep on aggroing then its there own fault, you gave fair warning to everyone you needed to get use to playing your tank again.

Sometimes people will out gear the tank making it more difficult to hold aggro, just ask them to hold back abit for a smooth ride and if they don't listen then let them pay their own repair bill for being disrespectful in the first place. If it gets the the problem of them wiping your whole group simply tell everyone to kick the player, most times this method works.

I'm currently leveling my umpteenth alt, a druid healer, almost entirely through LFD. Even at level 45, I've seen great PUGs and horrible PUGs and everything in between. A bad group can be moulded into a good one by a few calming words in chat.

"Everyone focus on the tank's target please, you can't expect him to keep aggro on everything at this level."

"DPS please watch your aggro. You're bleeding me dry!"

"Let's keep it together guys, only one boss to go, and then we can all get blue gear we don't need from our satchels."

You'd be amazed how the presence of one vocal, sympathetic, and laid-back party member can coerce the others into better behaviour.

Of course it doesn't always work. There are utter idiots out there who are numb to the gameplay experiences of every other player around them. But sometimes spending a little effort to hold the group together can pay great dividend.

I also think there is something about the healer role. PUGs which might laugh in derision at a tank asking for patience will for some reason pay attention to a healer saying the same thing. I can't quite explain it, as both roles are equally essential.

As I don't have the rep to post comments yet, I will say that no matter how tired you are of running the same HC, it's not the newly-geared tank's fault, so don't take it out on him. If you really have no time for helping a newb get his gear, then stick to guild runs.