What it's REALLY about is being happy and flying with people you like to be with, and if getting to fly international means I have to sit with you for 14 hours, then I'll pass.
I guess it also means what "choice" you are going to cherry pick to bash one airline so that you can lift yourself up and make yourself feel better. Yes, you can go to Europe and South America and Africa if you want, but if you feel like challenging yourself every once in awhile, can you do a day trip through South East Alaska? How many years does it take for one of your new hires to hold a West Coast Base? How long does one have to forego an upgrade to hold a Captain slot on the West Coast? Why am I even giving your comments the dignity of a response?