i just discovered that the same trick i use in 3ds max to straighten out vertices or curve points when they’re just slightly away from a prospective alignment, works in maya, too. just pick the vertices or curve points and scale them along the axis you want them to have aligned. this is helpful not only in modelling, but also in the uvw editor. the following two screenshots should clarify this little, but extremely handy trick:
For speed, (and a 100% alignment) select all your verts, hold down W and left click and hold, turn off Keep Spacing. Then click one axis arrow on your move tool, hold down V and middle mouse click/drag over another vert you want to align to.
great tip, thanks!