FWIW, San Antonio (SAT) is my closest airport, but rarely find the prices cheaper than flying to a destination if I have to connect through Houston anyway. For me, when I consider the usual extra cost, the time spent driving to SAT, getting there early enough to deal with security, etc., wondering if my originating flight is actually going to go as scheduled, planning backup contingencies, worrying if my checked bags will make the connection, and then when I get to Houston, having to wait again for my departing flight, I generally prefer the easy 3 hour drive to Houston. As a retired airline pilot, I would do almost anything reasonable to avoid connecting flights. I rarely get screwed when I do a 3 hour drive to take a non-stop flight instead of using connecting flights.