When I spoke with the examiner and asked him if there was a limit to the number of re-exams, he replied " there is no limit, however, the more important question is not how many re-exams are allowed but rather how important is the patent?"
I don't necessarily agree that phone calls will anger him to the point of placing our reexam at the bottom of the pile. Perhaps a few phone calls might raise the question in his mind "how important is the patent." I do, however, agree that a call from someone who can technically address issues that might prove to be a help to the examiner is probably a better idea.
Good Luck to all of us
Laurie