Microsoft's fate was in the hands of Alaska Airlines this morning, especially on the 8:05 a.m. flight from Seattle to Las Vegas,

If there had been an incident, Windows 7 would be in trouble. The first-class cabin passengers included Steven Sinofsky, senior vice president of Windows engineering, and Bill Veghte, SVP of the Windows business.

Nearby were marketing SVP Mich Mathews and Frank Shaw, president of Microsoft's main PR agency.

Judging from the backpacks and conversations, members of the Windows Embedded, Windows Mobile, Live Search and Office teams were also filling the plane.

For balance, there was also a lone guy with a RealNetworks backpack and a Helix t-shirt.

Veghte told me he's excited about the show and asked to spend time working Microsoft's booth on the show floor, so he can talk to customers and see how the Windows 7 demonstrations are received.

Feedback from Joe Public was also available farther back in the plane.

When I mentioned all the Microsoft people to the Bellingham teacher in the next seat, he asked if I'd seen the ridiculous ads with Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld, then delivered a thorough critique. (But his daughter's a big fan of Vista, he added later.)