modo has the best I've used:
shift + up arrow = expand selection
shift + dn arrow = contract selection
left arrow = next loop
right arrow = previous loop
up arrow = expand selection along loop (includes pattern recognition!)
dn arrow = contract selection along loop
'L' = select implicit loop based on current selection
drag over geometry to 'paint select' multiple polys/edges/verts (no more click, click, clickety click)
selection filter to enable/disable edges, polys, or verts respectively
double-click edge = select loop
shift + double-click edge = add loop to selection
ctrl + double-click edge = remove loop from selection
