So I get to JFK a little late because of an Airtrain screw up. I get to the departure level, see the nice big sign in Schiphol yellow saying "All Gates", get through security ready to race to my gate and - no monitors! I finally go down the stairs to the lower level and find monitors down there.

Why in the world would the not have monitors telling you your gate when you come through security? Schiphol (who it seems had a role in the design of the terminal given the fonts and color scheme) certainly has always had monitors at every fork on the road (although I haven't been there since they implemented central security.)