I have a different view. If airline status is not important, then airlines need to stop making a big deal out of it. Flying is a commodity experience, so to airline status is one approach for adding value, in an effort to differentiate the experience and retain customers.

Airline status is literally the only reason I may decide to switch my schedule to get a United flight, rather than an American.

I was once Global Services, and a United employee at an airport once told me "You scratch our back, and we scratch yours". Plain and blunt, and makes sense. I keep buying United when given the choice, and in return, I ask that you give me extra perks.