They play the tourneys week in/week out. This means that they are used to the "big stage" and are probably less intimidated by the consequences of being knocked out (ie it won"t drastically effect their roll).
Whilst this is true it will also be the case that most pros won"t want to risk all their chips early on a coin toss. Unless they are SURE that they have the best of it by a decent percentage then they often cut their losses after a big re-raise from a "fish".
I saw this several times at the WSOP2006.
Likewise I agree with what you say in that some pro"s won"t risk chips early on in a flip. Thats how solid, consistent pro"s play the circuit...but amatuers play that way too. The ability to dodge disaster is not necessarily the big divider in class.
Also, what about the likes of Roland De Wolfe, who openly admit that they will either be heading to the rail early or a table captain from early on??? Completely playing without fear, in the knowledge that another buy in is arond the corner - AND knowing that some players sat at his table don"t want to risk their chips against him (for exactly the reasons laid out above).
A similar situation is with the Scandies, who are known to share bankrolls in fairly large syndicates.
