I'll throw in my $0.02 from the non-status perspective. Having no status, sitting in coach for me means getting the regular non-exit row seats and getting myself (and sometimes my laptop) smushed by adjoining passengers and reclining seats. I also happen to be one of those don't-invade-my-personal-space kind of people. So for me, I usually pay for domestic first (usually P fare) or else just get an award ticket for first. I do try to make it more worthwhile by either booking a nonstop or else getting on a 777 or 767 to get a bigger, nicer seat on one leg. And for anything under 2 hours, I just take the coach ticket.

But, yeah, for non-status, non-business-travel folks who travel alone, sometimes its worth it.