Am I the only one getting this - The server browser shows pings of less than 100, but when I join the game from the sub-100 servers I get a ping of around 1770 and up to 11% packet loss. This was the same with four different servers. So.... Is someone going to fix this or do I have to have a hissy-fit?

Sounds like the problem is either on your end or you probably have the worst ISP on earth...
Are you using WLAN? That could the packet loss, if you have bad reception.

Even if he had a bad ISP and used WLAN, why would the server list show inaccurate pings?

The server browser doesn't actually generate a constant stream of network data. Actual gameplay requires a constant stream of network data coming in, thus leading to a different network behaviour.

(just one possible explanation)

I'm on 2M down / 256k up DSL, over 100M ethernet, m0n0wall reports that the average traffic was 400k down, 120k up when I was playing (due to bittorrent). My ping dropped to 90 when I stopped bittorrent. The odd thing is that under these conditions other games (tremulous, warsow, sauerbraten) had no problems with pings of around 60.