Let's say Koko airlines has a hub at THL. Between the hours of 4-6PM Koko has capacity of 5,497 pax departing THL. But Koko is a sophisticated airlines. Using the latest yield management models and techniques, Koko has determined that on average, 69% of those pax are connecting pax who have no need for check-in counter facilities. But being customer friendly, Koko staffs the counters with an expectation that 40% of those pax are originating at THL.

Well, that 69 is an average. By definition, that means there will be days when there are more, sometimes many more, pax than Koko can expeditiously handle even at the higher staffing level.

Thus Koko asks his pax to arrive at the airport at least an hour in advance of the departure time. Somtimes that is too much, sometimes it is just right.

But if you cant for whatever reason make it an hour before the flight, you pretty much forfeit your right to complain very loudly, IMHO. After all, what's the differnece between being stuck a mile from the airport in traffic that you cannont control as flight time comes and goes from being stuck in line as flight time comes and goes because you didn't make it to the airport an hour before the flight.

Anyone afforded special treatment in such instances should consider themselves lucky, and anyone inconvenienced by those being given special accomidation have a right to complain, IMHO.

And, BTW, YES, I have had 30 and 20 minute cut-offs come and go as I languished in line before. I get reeeeal mad...AT MYSELF.

BTWII: Yes, I know that not all airlines are as innocent as koko airlines, but that's what makes koko so special