LAX-SEA, 6:50pm flight. Due to a "computer glitch", the aircraft was changed from a B737-900 to a smaller B737-800, meaning that several passengers were bumped from their seats because of reduced capacity (I was not one of them). Passengers boarded the plane, then sat at the gate for 45 min while the flight crew tried to get the passenger manifest straightened out. Then, after 45 minutes, the head attendant took to the intercom and said that because the inept crew could not sort out the manifest, all passengers had to deplane and reboard. By the time that was all done, it was 8:15pm. The plane finally departed at 8:30pm - 1hr and 40 min late! During the flight, the flight attendants couldn't be bothered to satisfy the frustrated passengers' requests. Service calls went unanswered, drink refills were not served. All the passengers got for their ordeal was a perfunctory apology. I got off the plane in Seattle thinking I'd wasted good money on crappy service.

Alaska Airlines used to be one of the best airlines in the USA, but the quality of service has declined dramatically over the past 5-7 years. Next time I have to fly from LA to Seattle I think I'll be giving Virgin America a try.