Wow, that brings back some memories. I haven't connected through PHX in over 20 years since it was an America West hub. I only did it a few times, but I still remember the crazy short connections they had scheduled through there and running between gates and wondering what they were thinking. Looks like they haven't really updated the MCT through all the mergers.

I never really understood the vitriolic hatred of 35X. It wasn't unlike many other bus gates in the world and, as you point out, the new C->E transfer experience isn't much better (especially if connecting close to AA's 0:30 MCT at DCA).

-FlyerBeek

I nearly always avoid them too, but then I have to keep an eye out because everytime there is the slightest change to anything on the itinerary, AA will rebook me into the earliest connecting flight (i.e. the ones that give a layover of ~45 minutes). My flight this weekend is three segments, booked originally with 2-3 hour layovers. They changed the take off time of the first flight by 1 minute (kid you not), and they rebooked the second leg to the flight with a 50 minute connection even though the original connection was still there and didn't even change.

For me, this isn't that annoying in terms of buying tickets, but I am tired of calling for nearly every flight change to re-instate my originally chosen itinerary (usually 1.5-3 hours connection).

((and most of the reason I care about this, is because I -never- will clear my F upgrade when I need reaccomodated, and I am tired of even 10 minute delays resulting in my getting kicked out of the front cabin on the next flight).

We have an upcoming D-D CLT 35 minute connection. What I am not getting is, if according to AA.com "Be at the gate and ready to board the plane at least 30 minutes before departure..." and "Boarding ends 15 minutes before departure.", how the computer can generate the 35 minute x...

The biggest issue was just the crowds around that "gate" (IMO). But, DCA is just a very crowded airport. I was in that terminal a few weeks ago and had to step over people sitting on the floor on my out of my gate (I am sure they moved when the roller bags started a'com'n at 'em).

A lot of the other airports have larger central concourses where you can wait. You only head to the bus gate when it's time to board.

In DCA and most US airports, all the waiting space is at the gate. 35X was a crowded mess.

Is this only an AA phenomenon?

It has been a while since I've had to connect on other carriers domestically, but I do have memories of running through DEN, DTW, MSP, ATL, and IAH. Have UA, DL, and WN extended their connection times?
Of course, if possible, I always opt for a nonstop flight, even if it means traveling on another carrier.

None of the airlines factor in the gate arrival and boarding time requirements in their MCTs or scheduled connections. The reality is that no one is actually checking if you are at the gate 30 minutes prior to departure and they generally don't close up the flight right at the 15 minute mark if there are late arriving pax from other flights. That said, I've had a couple cases where they have cleared standbys and closed a flight slightly early and I lost my seat when they didn't think I could make it from my connecting flight.

Same. 35X was a notable improvement over the previous 35A (I think that's what it was called). I never understood the hatred regardless.

They check flight statuses through the AA app and think that the times that it shows are accurate, and they base future scheduling on that, maybe?

In all seriousness, as someone who did miss a connecting flight due to a delayed arrival that messed up a 30-minute connection, I guess AA knows the costs of missed connections, and figures that cost is worth bearing.

I always chose itineraries with comfortable connect times, but the next schedule change seems to eliminate the buffer. When that happens on a Web Special Award, there is not much they are willing to do to restore the original connection time.

The financial benefit of heavy banked hubs with a/c sitting on the ground for less time far outweighs additional cost of missed connections, particularly when said missed connections can often be attributed to weather related and the airline owes the traveler nothing. Look at it this way. A CK/EXP flying often has either the corporate or personal resources to absorb additional costs when a connection is missed and the airline is not on the hook for hotel/meals. Everyone else the airline doesn't really have much of an incentive to please anyway. Moreover, heavy business travelers usually have contingent plans in place.

I'm confused by the apparent anger toward AA and its scheduling in this thread. When you book a flight, look closely at the connection time(s). If you're not comfortable with the amount of time, don't book the flight. If you still book the itinerary, you're accepting that you may have extra expenses/wasted time/other hassles if you misconnect, particularly if the reason is weather/ATC/something else outside AA's control.

I like having the option to book a short connection, because sometimes it may the the only way to attempt to get somewhere on a particular day, especially when I need to fly late the the day or if I'm flying somewhere with a limited number of flights. I do agree that it's annoying if a GA takes you off a flight -assuming- you'll misconnect when you're actually physically able to make it to the next flight before they close the door -- they should really be more careful not to do that.

Otherwise, when I book a short connection, I know going in that there is very little room for error, and I don't book anything where I don't have the tolerance and/or personal resources to deal with the fallout if I truly can't make it to the connecting gate on time.

Anecdotally, quite a few FTers seem to be booking backup flights on other airlines these days, particularly given the generous refund/credit policies still in place. Personally, I've had to rebook on UA a few times this year (even WN once -- yikes!).

Anecdotal, but the few times I’ve flown UA with a “short” connection and arrived under MCT, I’ve been texted that the flight will wait for me and to proceed rapidly to my gate. I’ve sat on UA flights waiting for passengers connecting, to say the same of AA as an EXP is nonexistent. But you may be right, we just know AA has been doing this banked system and creates a big downstream effect once one segment is effected.

I think it's still better than before. You used to have to take a shuttle from C to D to not have to re-clear security. Sometimes, the shuttle would sit on the ramp for a while if there was a plane pushing back from gates C23 or D36. They should 100% put moving walkways in the National Hall though!