On arrival into DFW, it is evident that several other flights have arrived at the same time, including one other from FRA (LH) and several from South America. It takes about 30 mins to walk to immigration processing and get through the queue. The USA immigration inquisition is much less daunting or through than the FRA pre-check-in checks. It takes less than a minute to hand over the passport, have the I94W form and passport stamped, place two fingers on the scanner and smile for the camera.

By the time I get to the baggage carousel, all the bags have been delivered and the belt has stopped. So I walk around the belt until I find my bag and I am pleased to see there is no queue to exit customs (unlike my last time arriving on this flight into DFW). Outside customs I am directed to the correct belt to drop my already tagged bag for the connection to ORD. Then a quick check of the departures monitors shows I have to head from my arrivals Terminal D to Terminal A for my connection. I allowed plenty of time for my connection and at this time I wish I had booked the tighter connection.

The new SkyTrain makes it very easy to get between terminals. I went through security screening at Terminal D and then up to the SkyTrain and was at Terminal A in a matter of minutes.

At the Terminal A Admirals Club I hand over the QF Platinum card and my AA BP and am presented with a single drink voucher. Oh well, I am not really in need of multiple drinks and can't be bothered asking for more. Upstairs I make the most of the T-Mobile hotspot and call home again. I exchange the drinks voucher for a bottle of sparking water.

I keep an eye on the time and knowing that boarding starts 30 mins before departure I check the departures display at about 35 mins to go. It shows On Time so I leave the lounge and walk to the nearby gate. Hmm, Gate A21 shows the right flight details and there are lots of people milling around, but there is no aircraft parked at the gate. How can it possibly be on-time when the inbound aircraft has not yet arrived? I decide to take a seat and see what happens.

Soon there is an announcement that the flight will be boarding late and since this is a beverage-only flight, people may like to go and purchase food now. Many people take the advice and leave the gate area. Eventually an MD80 rolls up to the gate and disgorges its passengers.

We are then told that boarding will be at 6pm, though due to storms in the Chicago area we will not be taking off until 7:20pm. It seems they need the gate (or perhaps the on-time departure stats are measured from push-back time) so we will be sitting on the tarmac for over an hour - oh great. I am very glad to be seated in F! At least they offer us drinks while we are on the ground.