[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

If you live in the northwest, or northern Rockies, as I do, or travel there a lot, Alaska is probably your best bet for convenience AND, relatively, decent service. Southwest does serve Seattle, Spokane, Portland and Boise, however a lot of their service is connecting. For a trip to the east coast there's no question that Alaska Air first class has Southwest beat for comfort. Also Alaska has interline agreements with other airlines which allow travel ending in a city not served by Alaska.

Southwest has just about everyone (compared to other US-based carriers) beat when it comes to an overall on-time record. This on-time record may take a hit now that Southwest is flying to New York--LaGuardia and Boston. If I'm wrong about Southwest's on-time record I'd appreciate Jetliner, or one of his friends, providing the link which indicates otherwise. Unlike Alaska, Southwest does NOT have ANY interline agreements with any other airline. An agreement with West Jet, of Canada may, or may not, emerge within the coming year. If you want to connect to, or from, Southwest you must claim your baggage then re-check your bags with the next airline. Southwest's fare rules DO seem to be the most "customer friendly" of any US-based airline. During the winter months I strongly suggest purchasing Southwest's "Anytime" fare which is fully refundable.

As to flight attendant attitudes: I think someone who says labor relations do NOT have an effect on employee morale has a lot of convincing to do. Maybe Jetliner, et al, can accomplish that. I believe Alaska recently signed an agreement with their bargaining unit, the Teamsters. Southwest, compared to other US-based carriers, has enjoyed relative labor peace.

And now about mystery meat, or something dead with gravy on it (served in first class): Yes, if you think airline food is the greatest thing in the world, Alaska is your airline. Southwest has peanuts for their "main course." Indeed, Southwest has run ads almost mocking their non-food flights.

Lastly, there's the matter of profitability. Southwest has enjoyed 130+ CONSECUTIVE quarters of profitability, or around 32 years. No other US-based carrier can make that claim. Worldwide, Lufthansa and Singapore are two carriers with a relative sustained record of profitability. To say that profitability does NOT impact on the quality of the service product is being out of touch, at best.