Rob wrote:

The controller likely didn't want you interfering with
the big boys on downwind south of PHX runways 7/8/25/26.

Yes, that is the primary airline arrival corridor for traffic from the West.

I fly out of
Deer Valley Airport northeast of PHX, and I've never been refused the
(other) VFR transition route North/South over Sky Harbor

Me too, and me neither.

As far as the general issue of different tracons having different personalities, I agree, and in general the
Phoenix tracon is not all that accommodating of GA. There's a huge amount of GA training traffic, and for
the most part they put up with us, and in general the service is adequate, but it's nothing like Socal. For
impromptu IFR clearances, tower enroute, etc. Socal is VERY GA friendly by comparison.

Mike