Originally Posted by RobertS975
Common sense needs to apply to connection times.... 40 minutes is OK if a lot of other conditions are true... no checked luggage, a later flight that can accomodate you in the event of a mis-connect, and your own schedule flexibility... like you are not trying to make a wedding that VERY night etc. And you are not flying on Thanksgiving eve.
All of this is true except maybe the checked luggage thing. I think the airlines do a remarkable job of getting bags along to the destination. I think there are many times when the bag makes the connection and the passenger doesn't. The times when it is a factor is when you are REALLY late and have like 5 minutes and you just happen to land at an adjacent gate. One time, I bet I was only actually in the ATL airport for less than 1 minute. Off one plane, next gate, right onto second plane.