My company has converted me from UA to AA, and so far I'm very happy with the switch. But now I'm staring down some travel to DEN, SLC, PHX and LAS. I'm closer to OAK, but SFO will work. I've read all the threads lamenting the demise of SJC and complaining about the lack of routes in the West. I understand and have taken advantage of the AS (OAK-SNA, yay!) possibilities, but... what do other folks in the Bay Area do when faced with the need to get to places such as those I've listed?

a) Suck it up and change in DFW, PDX, or LAX (LAX only works for DEN and LAS)
b)have a second preferred airline
(1) Which one? UA? WN? HP/US?
c)fly by schedule and price on various other airlines

I'd be very interested to understand other folks strategies. Most of this travel is going to be business paid and not terribly price sensitive.