Great thread. I am a LAQ and have a few loyal customers. I have no problem with seams going up and down or back and forth. I even have had great luck with minkee and fleece as backings. The main point is: talk to your LAQ. Tell her want YOU want and listen to what she needs. If you cannot come to an agreement, find another LAQ! There is one that is right for you.
PS ruler work is anything that is quilted using a ruler...could be SID (which is easy on a domestic machine, but it NOT on a long arm...so when you say 'JUST SID', watch your LAQ's face!), could be a template (like a circle, swag, heart, etc) Ruler work usually takes more time and its 'fiddly-er' (how is that for a good made up word..lol)