Because Maya uses selection masks instead of modes, you have to essentially block all other selection types at the same time you want to work with a specific type of component. setSelectMode components Components;
I feel your pain. I had to go through RTS unit models that were horribly unwrapped for a student project and when it came to aligning things I wondered if it this was possible too. In the end, I just used these to speed the process up (since it didn't seem I could use the repeat last command hotkey with the align buttons…
tank documentary: http://www.guba.com/watch/3000084267?category_id=527&duration_step=0&filter_tiny=0&pp=40&sb=5&set=-1&sf=0&size_step=0&o=34&sample=1211338339:2b6e1363602c2b690bfd1a317413520274515f4e part2:…