Overall AA's maintenence is as good or better than anywhere else due to the fact that it's the only legacy airline that uses only American (from the USA) mechanics for everything. However, with the recent finding that the V1 cut out of LGA a few months ago was from poor maintenece oversight you may have a point.
Allegiant has a different philosophy and the "home every night" feel does affect the morale for the better. Mix in direct flights to small destinations and you can see why they are being emulated.