Originally Posted by
Cha-cha-cha
This means the MCT would have to be more dynamic, changing frequently as lateness rates change, but that ought not to be beyond the means of current technology.
I'd also make it vary seasonally (lengthen it in ATL and DFW during summer storm season and in ORD and DTW during the winter months) and even by departure time, since you have a much better chance getting into ORD or ATL in time to catch your connection if you're scheduled to arrive at 9 AM instead of 7 PM. Since the airlines have overbooking (i.e., how many excess seats to sell on a particular flight in anticipation of no-shows) down to a science with similar variables, they ought to be able to do it with MCTs.