I was going to KWI.

When the delay first posted around 7:30 as 'airport conditions' I asked the club agent to check on it. Guy she called said it was because 75 military people were on their way to the flight and they had to hold it. Heard him say it through the phone so she wasn't changing the story she was told.

Then at the gate the PA announcement mentioned having to wait for cleaners because of a staff shortage.

And then a Global Services customer in the car to the hotel talking on the phone mentions he was told the cleaning contractor messed up security clearance paperwork for its employees and they had to fire them abruptly, ended up short some number of cleaners.

So have now heard 3 different stories...

Military last minute convoy (they were definitely on the flight, and showed up very close to departure time, but doesn't explain the other delays), labor dispute, and labor credentials snafu.

Whichever it was, it all made for another vintage Dulles experience.

Global Services guy was ready to put lowest ratings on the email survey that will pop up in his inbox because of the creeping nature of the delay.