I have not experienced extensive issues with favoritism, although I have suspected some. I may also have benefited from it in the days before the merger.
Since the middle of November when the schedule was modified to be more Point to Point I have seen a general increase in BC bookings. This may be seasonal, but it may also be the new schedule with lots more flights stopping and continuing on. My last flight was such a flight it flew on from Atlanta without the through passengers deplaning, something I don't recall ever happening on Airtran.