File this one under, "I wish someone had warned me." I've waited in the C concourse alleyway at DTW, at Concourse G at IAD, even the little bubble-pod B-gates beside the taxiway at GVA, but nothing prepared me for the B84 gates at IAH this afternoon.

Maybe it was because today was Friday, maybe it was because spring break is upon us, maybe it was because a bunch of flights just happened to be scheduled for the same departure window, I don't know. All I know is, it was packed. Multiple flights leaving from the same gate within minutes and at least one pair of flights from one gate simultaneously (pax ferried to waiting planes via bus) coupled with an apparent reluctance on the part of some GAs to use the intercom and instead preferring to shout over the din that flight X to Branson was now boarding. Throw in some confused old women, moms travelling alone with 3 school-age kids, and cranky businessmen tripping over the feet of teens dozing on the benches and it's a miracle anyone makes their flight at all.

I survived and made my flight - successfully stood by for an earlier one to my sweetie's current place of residence, in fact - so I have no complaints per se. I just wish someone had warned me for what I was to face. In that spirit, I want to pass on this heads-up to any future IAH fliers who have an outbound CO ERJ flight in their future - watch the screens over the exit doors for your flight, watch the GAs as they may not use the PA system, and bring aspirin. Lots and lots of aspirin.

A sense of humor doesn't hurt, either.