Again, to each his own. However, I just don't see CO as “by far the superior airline". I’ve been both top and middle tier on both carriers over the last 5 years and all in all I’ve been more satisfied with AA.

Both carriers have their pluses and minuses and both are far from perfect and we've seen a general decline in what to expect from all US carriers in this decade.

AA excels (relative to our options in the US) in the benefits for top tier elites, overall Aadvantage program, overall treatment of top tier elites, and Onewold membership (as apposed to Skyteam) There has also been noticeable improvement in onboard service in the last year in the front cabin. These are the factors most important to me.

I would agree that CO generally has a better coach product with newer planes and meal service; however I prefer AA at this point largely because I'm rarely back there. Missed an upgrade on only 3 of 90 segments this year, regardless if I'm on $200 or $1000 domestic fare, regardless of route. I'll take AA's F seat over anyone's coach seat any day.

Like CO, AA has figured out a way to keep many of us loyal and the loads bare this out. AA's planes are just as packed, and this is shown by an almost identical system wide factor (both were 79% for October).

If AA were to adopt many of the Onepass rules, they'd probably loose much of my business and I'd select my travel solely on the basis of price and schedule. Their current system keeps me loyal and extracts a fare premium (to a point) because I know I'll be taken care of. This AA gets.

Like many of you on CO, I don't bother even checking other carriers’ fares as long as I get something with in reason. All carriers are in risk of loosing such behavior if they continue to dilute the benefits of the FF programs.