Sometimes the airline you fly on, can have an effect on your perception of an airport. Detroit, is a good example. If you fly Northwest or Delta, you'll always go through their new terminal, which is gorgeous, has a really good gate to gate transit system, and is generally very pleasant. However, if you get unlucky and have to fly out of their old terminal, it can be much worse. Gates are lined up along long, dark hallways with very little seating, and few amenities.
Another one that falls into that category is Charlotte. Their main terminal is awesome. But their old terminal is designated for Southwest Airlines, and it's like a 3rd world country over there. There is literally a demarcation zone, where you go from one terminal to the next, and it's very noticeable. All of a sudden, the floors are dirtier, the ceilings are lower, the lights are dimmer. Obviously it's the difference between an old building and a new one, but I can see how people flying into the same airport can have entirely different experiences.