I've never had everybody survive the suicide mission. Less then half the team dying is just too unbeliveable for my taste.
Except for my first playthrough when I made some poor choices in fire team leaders I always save everyone. Just because they call it a suicide mission doesn't mean it has to be. Most of the uncertainty was getting through the Omega 4 relay. That happened without a hitch. The rest is just a spec ops mission.
Hmm, I always use Jack but bring Samara along as a squadmate (for area Reaves). I like the idea of her finally becoming a team player... or just the presence of Jack.
I wouldn't trust Jack with anything other than blowing **** up. She's too unstable and uncontrolled and I don't have time to play therapist. I wouldn't recruit her at all if I was able to. As a player I can appreciate her character. But my Shepard likes nice known quantities on a mission where everything can go wrong at the drop of a hat.
That being said, it would make sense to have a second biotic on your squad in that section so that if the bubble falters they can make another one. Too hard to implement gameplay-wise probably but in terms of the story, that definitely should've been a consideration.