Method and apparatus for an access terminal which makes handoff decisions between a number of potential alternative attachment points based on service level indicating metrics are described. The access terminal computes a service level indicating metric differently for a current connection than for a potential alternative connection. A service level indicating metric is a function of loading information and received signal strength. A selection may be made by selecting between attachment points by selecting the attachment point having the highest service level indicating metric from among a plurality of attachment points, one per possible carrier where the attachment point which is considered for a given carrier is the one having the best connection for the given carrier. The access terminal handoff decision approach provides handoff decisions which are nearly as optimal as those which can be achieved using a centralized control node but without the requirement for centralized handoff decisions.