Took first biz trip of year on AA, JFK-DFW-JFK. Evening flight on 1/11 first delayed because inbound craft was nowhere to be found. After we finally board, we're told it's taking forever to load the bags because of a "manpower shortage." We push back an hour-forty-five late.
Coming home yesterday, automated flight info says the gate is C-4. But upon check-in, I was told it's A-10. One train ride later I'm at the right place and so is the plane, but the crew isn't. They're coming in from JFK and parking at C-27! Which is occupied by another plane with mechanical difficulties.
Fortunately, pad time in the sked didn't make us too late.
But c'mon! Manpower shortage. Wacky slotting. How hard can it be? I hope this isn't a harbinger of a miserable year in the terminals. Here's to a collective FT crossing of fingers.