I've had an AAdvantage number since 1988 and until this week had never actually been to or through CLT. A quick trip to Charlotte changed all that.

Currently there is construction going on which made the pick up area a hot mess at 11:30 pm. I was there at 11:30 as my AA flight was delayed.

The terminal is nothing remarkable. Looks a bit dated. Seems like a lot of low ceiling concourses all patched together- the exception being A which is the one concourse AA doesn't use.

TSA on the return was a mess as well. One Pre Check area was sending people to another due to overcrowding only for people to be turned away and told to go back. But the lines moved quickly and the TSA people were pleasant.

On the whole is seems an entire new terminal should have been built 10 years ago.

Is it a great airport- no. But no fortress hub airport is.