Flew from DCA to ORD last night on AA363, the 8 pm (and last) flight to ORD. We were 30 minutes late leaving DCA and were 17 minutes late arriving (arrived at 9:29 pm as opposed to 9;12 pm). As we were approaching the gate, the lead FA asked people to remain seated so some pax in the back could catch an international flight. I was in Row 1. Turns-out the flight in question was the 10:10 pm departure to DUB.

I decided not to wait for the passengers (all the way in the back) to leave. For several reasons: 1) they booked a sub one hour connection to an international flight. AA runs several flights a day to ORD from DCA, including a 6 pm departure, which would have allowed for a comfortable connection. I didn't tell them to book such a short connection; and 2) they had more than enough time to make their flight. The FA asked me to let them go, but I just said (truthfully) that I have a 2 1/2 drive home and didn't feel like waiting when they booked a dumb connection and have plenty of time to make it.

Am I a jerk? Yes. But, I opted to prioritize my need to get home over their need to have a (slightly) less hectic connection!