Besides, I would hate to think of how bad things would be if it was just Alaska and Southwest. I've never flown Alaska, because it doesn't have the routes I need. I don't like flying Southwest at all, and if I had to go cross country on them, it would really suck.

mdtony,I agree. It would be a sad day for us all if these were the only choices. I have SW Companion Pass status and still shudder to think of them as the leading carrier model. They serve a very limited purpose.My limited experience with AS doesn't make me feel any better about them either.