Don't let that pic scare you. They were well staffed and things went quickly and smoothly. Things you want to worry about in Colorado are the jerk drivers and jacked up road network.
I've made multiple roundtrip flights down to the lower 48 from Alaska. Vegas, Houston, DFW, Abilene, etc. Not like flying overseas. The flight between FAI and ANC can be a fun one! Almost always bumpy!
Where do you like to sit when you fly? Isle, middle, window? Front, over the wings, back? Emergency rows? Or do you get all nerdy and pick your seats depending on that particular model of aircraft?