Having also lived in both Colorado and NY, I think you're a little wrong, but mostly right. Saying universally "it's all about THEM and not the customer" is too extreme, but you do get a lot of crappy customer service here. On the other hand, you often get absurdly good service when you're at some higher end place.

IMO, Colorado is generally nicer, but awfully slow, and the upscale salespeople (I'm thinking Cherry Creek Saks, for example), really don't know what they're talking about, which is a problem of a different stripe.

Fair enough. I've had some bad experiences at EWR, so perhaps I reacted with a bit more bile than normal, but I stand by the fact that NYC attitudes take a little getting used to, and when they directly affect one's ability to get on an international flight, the line is drawn.