Wow, helluva summary. I generally agree with what you say. Having lived in DFW, Chicago and then New York for 10 years and then moving to Denver, I have had a chance to compare over a longer term. I have been an AA flyer for most of my life, compared to my 2-3 as a partly UA flyer, and have come to the realization that I just plain like AA a great deal more, warts and all.

I just do not feel the same level of service from UA. Part of this may be down to familiarity with AA, but even having flown enough to be a 1P for two years, I still do not feel comfortable with the UA "experience." I get the feeling the whole world seems to fly UA, and most seem to be 2P flyers. As a result everything feels much more crowded and impersonal to me. I do enjoy some widebody flights, but I've never had the issues with the Super-AA-ties that others have had here (love seats 21 A/B -- all I need!)

Again, fantastic summary. Thanks! ^