I had a taste of N 12B yesterday when I flew into SEA, and it was absolutely horrible - especially given the recent snowfall in Seattle and the terrible conditions on the tarmac.

AS #88 from ANC to SEA was supposed to arrive at N4, but then kept changing back and forth from N2 to D1. Then back to N4. And so on.

They announced shortly before landing that we'd be going in to D2 - and that's what showed on the AS app, and on both FlightStats and FlightAware.
But while we were taxiing to the gate, there was a last minute switch to N 12B.


Arriving at N 12B after a Seattle snowfall is - without a doubt - one of Dante's 9 Circles of Hell.


I could hardly make it down the stairs from the plane to the tarmac. The First Officer, bless his heart, helped me with my computer bag. There was *no* indication of how far it was to the terminal entry point, so I slogged along as best as I could. My computer roller-bag, shoes, and slacks were all coated with the slushy, sticky, powdery ice-melt that was everywhere. (Twenty-four hours and 3 flights later, and I still can't get some of it off of my clothing or shoes.)

When I eventually reached the stairway I asked the attendant if I could use the elevator. She refused - REFUSED - because I was not in a wheelchair!

I was flabbergasted. I tried to explain to her that I'm a cancer patient and that I also have cardiac problems, so climbing that many stairs would be very difficult for me. She still would not let me use the elevator. She also wouldn't call for a wheelchair, "Because that has to be set up in advance." I may - just may - have cursed under my breath ...

Had I *known* that we were going into a gate that doesn't have a jetway, I would have arranged for wheelchair assistance. But by the time we were on the ground it was too late, and I was already at risk of missing my connection.

Is it obvious that I'm still fuming about that ***** arrival gate?