The 50% EQM change was what got me to move from CO to NW. I did it via UA for a year, seriously intending to try them. UA has some good special offers, a much better global alliance and possibility for some really odd MR routings, but the upgrades are less generous, the website booking is a disaster, sale fare availability was an unexpected issue, and they just don't have enough service to ATL. So I comped over to NW. The upgrade batting average is down a good bit this year vs. NW on past years, but bumps are way up, and flexibility is certainly rewarded.

Also, CO has been flying too many RJs on RJ-inappropriate routes. You can fly ATL-IAH-MKE as all-RJ now...fine for miles, but not for comfort. Of course they like being able to offer more flight times, but I think the lower pilot pay and needing only 1 crew member has a lot more to do with it. Generous upgrade benefits aren't worth anything when the plane has no FC.