As the author of that photoblog (on flickr), I was quite proud to write it but what really got me was the amount of positive email it generated from Alaska employees.

I never expected to get so much mail and most of it was a lot more than "Thank You". People shared the stories of how one airline changed their lives - gave them their first job or took care of them in their time of need.

The best response came from one fellow flickr member who documented his entire move to Seattle just to join Alaska - and I now know why.

Alaska has saved me a fortune by doing one really important thing - booking my flights - at least one segment - on Alaska where they were the code-share carrier.

If you've ever had a flight cancelled or have been bumped, you can call Alaska to get home.

There are two carriers on two routes that do this repeatedly and each time I've been in a bind with another carrier, Alaska takes the reservation and gets me home.

I don't know if airlines still get a commission for booking a return on another carrier but for me, it's like an insurance policy.

Having received such terrible service from our Nation's new largest airline lately, my interest turned to Alaska as my airline of choice. I just wish they were larger.

As for everything else I wrote, I could probably add another 50 things to that list.

A few people were upset that I compared Alaska to other carriers as a "Boutique Carrier" similar to that of a "Boutique" hotel - only meant to emphasize the uniqueness of each flight which is usually a characteristic of the combination of personalities of the employees working that flight.

I'm sold. Period. They helped me out as a photographer well before I was a passenger - their corporate office did things for me that few airlines if any would ever do -I won't mention names but I've shared the name of that executive that took me under his wing when I moved to Seattle with a few select people.

Lately, in my corner of the world, things have been both good and bad in life (adapting to a life with some new physical limitations) and on my worst of days I received the most heartwarming letter from a very grateful flight attendant that worked my flight. It made my day - and I hadn't even traveled that day.

I could think of so much more to say but it would be much easier to suggest you book a leg of your flight - especially if you are on the West Coast with Alaska - or book it through your primary carrier and earn miles for that segment with your carrier of choice. It's a win-win situation.

Alaska is one airline that every industry executive of every carrier, regardless of marketing platform or size, should take a look at and perhaps step back and look at the bigger picture.

There was a time in Domestic Aviation when flying was grand, was exclusive to upper bracket clients that dressed well and treated others with respect.

It's okay to fly Alaska in casual clothes and be the e-ticket holder with the lowest fare - for once (though I wasn't around in the 50's), there is a carrier that makes flying a method of transportation one that is worth of common courtesy, respect, and adventure (depending on your seatmate).

In every single in-flight picture I have ever taken when compared to others on other carriers, you will see more passengers on Alaska engaged in conversation with someone next to them. And of the conversations I've had, I've yet to meet someone I didn't remember if nothing more than that conversation.

On my last flight I spoke with another pilot and upon announcing our approach, he turned to me and said, "you know this is the first time I hate to say I wish it were a longer flight". I completely agreed - normally either of us would have said that had we been flying the plane (though neither of us has ever flown more than an SEL aircraft)

Enough said.

Give them a try. Words are nothing compared to the experience.


*Please pardon the typos - this generated so much mail I felt the need to immediately respond - I'll edit if necessary when I have more time.