I live about 25 minutes away from BWI, 45 minutes away from DCA, and anywhere from 60 to 120 minutes from IAD, depending on traffic.

I like flying out of DCA because I can park my car at a Metro Orange Line station and take the subway to the airport, and I love the CRC there. However, there is a substantial risk of not being able to upgrade, as most of the flights to ATL feature MD-88s, and during the week in the afternoons most of the pax are elites.

I like flying out of BWI because, of the three airports in this region, DL uses the largest aircraft (mostly 757s, with an occasional 767 to ATL), and there is a PM/GM entrance to security (which is shared with AA and NW) that is generally always open and can be a real time saver. I haven't missed out on an upgrade out of BWI in the past three years.

I'm OK with an occasional trip originating out at IAD because of occasional fare wars with B6, relatively quick passage through security, and the nice NW World Club near gate B23 (although the DL gates are at the opposite end of this midfield concourse).