I didn't even need to read the OP's post - the first bolded line told me the whole story. In my experience, RDU is consistently the worst UA station in the system. I have been flying there two to six times a year for the last thirteen years, and since changing terminals and UX operators the service has plummeted to an all-time low. I really feel for Chapel Hill Guy and any other of our fellow FTer's based there. exerda is correct, there are some great UX-only stations out there, and ROA is one of them. Unfortunately, I'm guessing that it and a few others are the exception, not the rule.