Well of course. But lets say you live in the midwest and want to fly down under....assuming cost is about the same would you want to have your layover at LAX or San Diego.....?

Or,

"Hey, let's go to Portland"

For me, I normally wouldn't care where the layover was. I would rather go to a "lesser" airport and get a shorter layover than go to a more interesting place with a long enough layover to go see some quick sites.

Not always possible I understand, but I have made that decision in the past.

Also Amsterdam.....come on Melbourne, we want you to join the club:)