I fly here from SFO regularly. PHX is always clean, it has lots of dining options, the employees are genuinely friendly; this is overall a very pleasant airport.
Their TSA seems to be a little on the strict side, but not unreasonably strict if you play by the rules and don't cause a scene (i'm looking at you, dude who refused to put his wallet in the x-ray tray).
PHX is usually my starting point or ending point and I rarely make transfers or deal with cancelled flights. It is a sprawling airport so I could see how rushing from gate to gate could be a hassle.