Yea not really UA related, so expect this to move to travel buzz, or OMNI...
But you are forgetting me:
3. Flyer who sometimes pays more to use one specific airline (where he holds status), but the cost is actually lower because of savings on premium seating, baggage fees, and priority services that are not extended on other airlines (bumping to OA when IRR-OPS), able to work longer when traveling later in the day because of saving of time spent checking in (priority lines), etc.