Thread by @ChuckRossDC

I was both types on my trip from Kansas City to DC this week. Flying out, I showed up 2 hours early. Spent $20 that I didn't need to spend at the airport bar. Not efficient!

Compare to the efficiency of my flight back (efficient for me, at least)... theatlantic.com/health/archive…

My flight had already been delayed 45 minutes, which meant that I was overconfident about making it to the airport in time. I also didn't factor in that the Metro is garbage. So I arrive at Reagan at about 8:15.

My boarding pass won't load on my phone, so I have to make a side trip to get that at the desk. Luckily, it wasn't busy.

And then I spot a Chick-fil-A

This one's on me. I live by one principle: See Chick-fil-A, get Chick-fil-A. So I got the 12 nug meal. But I'm also stupid, because I lost track of the fact that I hadn't gone through security yet. I eat the Chick in <2 minutes. It's 8:25 give or take.

Security is a breeze, but I still speed walk to the gate. It's Gate 37, just down from infamous Gate 35X.

I arrive, and the door to the sky bridge is closed. That's a new one. The desk attendant isn't happy, but she still ran me me up to the plane...

This was around 8:35. The official departure time (on the delay) was 8:45. We run down the sky bridge, but the plane had already pulled away from the mechanical awning thing they latch on to the side of the bird.

We're waving at the pilot, and someone's honking a horn at him. He finally notices us, and he slides open a tiny window that I didn't know they had. It's hilarious. So they let me on! But it gets even better (but only for me)

I'm supposed to sit at 21D, but they tell me to grab the first seat I see so that we can take off asap.

First seat available is first row, first class. I avoid eye contact with everyone else, but mumble my apologies as I plop down in first class for first time in my life. And it was great -- free mixed nuts, leg room, a blanket, a free beer.