I agree with the OP that flying WN is a crappy experience, in many ways.. Probably not as bad as G4 or NK, but definitely not a good experience -- having no assigned seats, being forced to play the silly line-up-by-the-numbers game to board, dealing with various idiots "cutting in line" by saving seats, no lounges, no F or J, no interline agreements, and a primitive website. But even with all of that, on occasion I find they are the best option -- because of the schedule. For me, the solution is to pay the $20 per person for EBCI. Seems like a small price to pay to not have to deal with some of the nonsense.