Comparing anything to LGA/EWR/JFK is like comparing anything to the ninth circle of hell. Sure, it's gonna be better but that doesn't tell you much. You could've thrown in PHL for good measure if you were going to play that game.

Back to CLT. I did learn a couple more things about the terminal D meltdowns.

The GA confirmed what was said above about the arrival hall capacity, namely, that if they get more than three or four planes, they don't allow anyone off until the hall clears out. Surreal.

I also asked the most experienced agent at the Admirals Club why there were so many international flights. She answered that they're mostly just seasonal.

My own view is that it's simply not possible to have a more non-functional system for dealing with international flights. The status quo simply cannot stand.

I'd still prefer to connect in CLT than PHL, but for a completely different reason: my destination is typically ALB and CLT has mainline Airbuses on both legs; PHL sometimes has propeller planes on the ALB leg. And have you ever seen PHL terminal F? Or taken the tarmac bus? Enough said, right?

And that brings us full circle to my first comment above.