Amazing NJ-

First, I'm sure many other people were in a similar position to you in that circumstance. Just because you have kids gives you or anyone else no more rights than anyone else. The fault there is clearly with the airline for not getting the line moving.

In my circumstance, the line actually moved. It probably went a person per minute, and the counter was more or less adequately staffed. The problem was that about a dozen people arrived no more than 35 minutes before the flight. Had they missed their flight at 12:55 AM, it would have been their own fault.

I am in complete agreement that reasonable standards should be set as to the maximum time one must wait in line. But minimums should be set as well. And if you arrive at SeaTac 30-40 minutes before your flight with bags to check, that's kind of your own fault. I thought about this some more, and two things upset me-

First, not one of the tardy passengers ever acknowledged the inconvenience they put others through. Second, the people who were inconvenienced were not given the option of being inconvenienced, but were mandated to do so by Northwest. As much personal freedom we give up when we travel, it just annoyed me that my freedom to decide whether to let someone cut ahead of me was now gone, and my humanity in the eyes of the airline further eroded.