People make way too much about the security gate cluster of gates at MCI, the only issue if connecting is going outside the secure area and not being able to bring a drink through. Any flight from MCI to any point in the US, Canada or Mexico is 3 hours or less. Eastern Airlines and Braniff both ran over 100 flights a day during their days and people were just fine in connecting, of course that was before 9/11 and newer security. Plus, if the security lines get backed up any TSA gets people to the front of the line based on how soon their flights are taking off.