So kind of a canned answer but here we go.

1. Dont commute if you can help it. If you are dead set on Dallas area for the majority of your life and want AA at some point, I would go SWA and hope for a call from AA. You will get it, trust me. Worst case if everything comes to a stop, you are not commuting to ATL for half a century or more.
2. Sure you might make more at DL "now", but keep in mind we are working on a fairly major contract overhaul that will get done, it's just a matter of time now. We will be competitive no doubt.
3. I had offers from the big three that I applied too and I am at SWA. I refused to commute for my career and I am generally happy here. Is it perfect in every way, hell no, but I am happy here and I haven't worked more than 13 scheduled days yet and I am very junior.

Good luck to you and again, regardless of DL or SWA, once you are hired at either AA will call, so if that is your plan you should be OK, but again, if Dallas is your jam I would pick SWA in case plans dont work out.