OMAguy..... I agree that it is not the airlines fault, none-the-less, they should do everything they can to minimize the effect of a ATC delay on its pax. Like you say, every delay is not the same as the other, so let the pax know that. There is no use in warning us of a delay if it means we have to hang out at the gate for the entire time.

Call it a "delay very likely" followed by the new time on flights where the inbound is still stuck in another city or a mechanical makes the delay certain. Call it a "possible delay" when they are ATC or marginal weather. That way some people can stay home and relax or at least feel that if they run and get a bite to eat in the airport the flight won't leave with out them.

It is simple, courteous, and would cost nothing for Alaska. Maybe it is not the norm, but it should be Alaska's prerogative to go above and beyond it.