This morning I flew from Toronto to Miami via CLT. What struck me most was the difference of service level on these flights. The Toronto - CLT flight was excellent. The CLT-Miami service was just another flight. The difference being the following:

YYZ check-in was excellent. Fast, frindly and efficient. Agent noticed I was tall and gave me a great seat and blocked the seat next to me off.

Food service was also pretty good.

I used to live in Miami and flew out of both MIA and FLL, often connecting in CLT. I experienced much better service into and out off FLL from CLT than when flying to MIA. Lots of the flights to MIA are full of people heading to/from cruises... perhaps there is less business-like attitude among the crews as well.

Perhaps, but maybe US Air wants to grab some of Canadian Airlines customers as well.

Service amenities are generally reflective of what else is being offered on particular route segments by other carriers. Example. I regularly fly PHL to PBI around dinner time. Occasionally, will go over PHL to Ft. Lauderdale around the same time. The flight to FLL has a full dinner, often steak. The one to PBI (40 miles away) is usually a crummy snack.