Thanks for all the replies and for the welcome...I can very easily see becoming addicted to this site!

Re: the AA suggestions: I am a former AA Gold member, and left many years ago because AA went to 3-cabin service on transcon flights, which limited my upgrade to their (then) crappy domestic business class...is that still the case? Also, isn't AA undoing their reconfigured coach class to reduce leg room to its previous cramped levels?

Re: the US/UA suggestions: my recollections are horrible planes and service. Has there been improvement over the last several years? (I swore off UA after a 90 minute wait for baggage at SFO). I have a lot of upcoming travel where US makes a lot of sense, but I still think of them as US Scare.

Re: the US/UA suggestions: my recollections are horrible planes and service. Has there been improvement over the last several years? (I swore off UA after a 90 minute wait for baggage at SFO). I have a lot of upcoming travel where US makes a lot of sense, but I still think of them as US Scare.[/B][/QUOTE]

We are also upset with DL Medallion Program changes after many years at PM level - we also have distinctly different travel patterns. I decided to take a US comp to GP - moved up quickly to Chairman's status. Upgrades have been nearly 100% although some flights at RSW are coach configuration only/ Ms. gulfcoast comped on UA to 1P - Gold - has done well on upgrade opportunity - especially international - much better than DL!
Good Luck!

On US:
Horrible planes, yes (some of the time). The Boeing aircraft tend to be grimier than the Airbii, with smaller F cabins. Additionally, US has drastically reduced mainline service, primarily out of PIT. However, US's A330's, which fly primarily to Europe, are fabulous (phenomenal Envoy cabin, more legroom in Y, fully-fitted AVOD system).

Service: True, US has scaled back service in both classes, and PHL is still a mess, but US frontline employees are extremely dedicated and helpful. Hopefully if their financials improve, US will restore some of the onboard service which has been stripped over the past couple of years.

AA is only changing leg room in coach class on 757's and A300. Most business routes are flown on other aircraft. Rumor has it that the 757's on business routes will not have leg room changed. The A300 is primarily a tourist aircraft to the Caribean and will probably have less room.

As for the transcon 3 class, I can't comment directly. 2 class cabin service on AA is excellent - particular the 2-3 hour or longer dinner hour flights. I'm not sure if the upgrade on non-dinner flights are worth it unless the flight is particularly crowded. The exit rows on AA aircraft have more seat pitch than F on other airlines so, powerports, and AA will try to keep the middle seat open for elites. Elites can reserve exit rows on line. With those features, the only difference in F is a wider seat and free drinks.

I don't travel much on transcon 3 cabin service flights. As for 2 cabin service flights, service is generally excellent on AA, particularly mid-con dinner flights. I'm not sure the non-dinner flights are worth it except on the most crowded flights.

As for the service recently on US, I can't comment on whether it has improved. I stopped flying US when they led the wave of passenger unfriendly changes. Remember the the non-refundable tickets that could not be changed and no miles for discounted tickets. All of these initiatives were started by US. I remember and won't fly US whenever it is avoidable.

As for AA, they have led the way in passenger friendly changes. For example, AA was the first airline to change the handling of non-refundable tickets recently, the first airline to allow cell phone use in the cabin after landing, the first airline to install powerports throughout (almost) the plan, the first airline to announce rescheduling during Isabel.

All things being equal, we should fly on airlines that lead the pack in customer friendly actions.