I hadn't flown CO in years, having been a UA guy for a long time (E+ seduced me). Anyway, was due to fly ORD-CLE-CRW on 08/24. ORD was the usual zoo, flights backed up to CLE quite badly. I paid $ for the NWA day pass (a lot better than RCC's, have I been missing out or what?), so was nicely situated in a comfy chair after my BD flight from MAN. Eventually, CLE got cancelled. I went to the desk, expecting a fight, as is usual on UA. Instead, re-ticketed to the direct ORD-CRW UA flight that night with no fuss at all. They even apologised.


Case in point - I then go to the UA "service" desk to get my boarding pass. The line is huge. I approach one of the two people serving a five person desk. Her reply is to wave at me, then say "I'm not here serving people." (Obviously, given that she was at a service desk.)
So, I wait patiently for the other lady. Her response to my request for a boarding pass is "you shouldn't have flown with those CO people in the first place" in a very petulant tone. I assumed it was a joke, but the lady seemed peeved I had dared to choose another carrier. I then got almost exactly the same thing in the RCC ("why did you go to another carrier in the first place? I might not let you in." ) I also noticed that UA were handing out directions to the bus station, with a note saying they absolutely wouldn't pay for anyone's bus travel. Nice.

So, CO wins, even when I don't fly with them. Particularly impressive, bearing in mind I do't have any status with them at all.