From reading the boards, I get the sense that top tiers sometimes aren't as pro-AA as mid-tiers are. I've been mid-tier on 4 different airlines over the years, and AA Plat is far superior IMHO - in many ways for little things, like the fact that the Plat line rarely has any hold time whatsoever.

From my perspective at the Plat level, I'm glad they don't automatically fill the front cabin with EXPs. I know that if I want an upgrade, I have a good chance of getting it 72 hours ahead of my flight. If I don't really need the upgrade, someone else who really wants it will get it.

Actually, at the low-elite level, I liked US a lot. Some things weren't as nice as AA, but they threw in 2 systemwides a year that always came in handy. Also, their agents used to be "friendly" about the rules, but in mid-2001 they went to a "no favors" approach and now enforce every rule to the letter.