Originally Posted by 110pgl

40 minutes is awfully close. By the time you taxi to your gate and deplane, your connecting flight will be boarding or about ready to board.

I will play Captain Obvious for a minute here...

1. Get a seat as close to the door as you can. If your near the back of the plane it could be 10 minutes or more before you deplane. This may be a time it is worth it to purchase one the choice extra seats. (I am not sure of your FF status.)
2. As others have stated know which gate you are coming into and which gate your flight goes out of. Assuming you have a smart phone, check the connecting gate as you taxi in.
3. Consider checking your bag. Others may disagree with this advice, but you do not want anything to slow you down. You may be running. Having said that, I don't typically check my bag, even in tight connections. Why? Because I am usually in first or the very front of coach, so I am one of the first 10 or so out the door and I have learned to walk very quickly!

I appreciate your reply! Very helpful!

I would check the load level for the flight after yours in case you mis-connect.

Good luck and please report back.