No, of course you wouldnt't fly SFO-OAK with no other flights - taxi would have been about the same cost, with the advantages of pick up and dropoff wherever you really wanted to be!

But I'm one of the people who bought the flight just for the miles. Notice my phrasing: My partner and I drove to SFO, I checked in, and got back in my car! Yes, the miles showed up and I got the special award (it was one of those 8 segments = a free trip bonuses; nobody would take it just for the 9 miles). I've always regretted not taking the flight, although I don't know if he would have been willing to drive across the bay to pick me up.

BTW, I'm told that the no smoking sign went off (it was back in the mid-80's) but the seat belt sign never did!