Continental is a great airline imo; I flew with them 3 years ago; MAN-EWR-IAH on their 767/777/DC10 a/c. All flights were very good from memory, pleasant cabin crew, decent food(for an airline) and good IFE.
I agree, flew with them in August; BHX-EWR-LAS and back on their 752/738 a/c. I found all flights with them very enjoyable, friendly cabin crew anf flightdeck crew, basically everything you have already said ‘dc10fan’ 😀