I assume that, based on the high level of humor (or lack thereof), that everyone here has seen the movie AIRPLANE! Well, you remember when Ted Stryker was landing at ORD, and they say that the flight is arriving at gate 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15…..55, 56, 57, 58, and so on? Absolutely hilarious!

Well, I was on CO 1475 ABQ-IAH on 2/ 17…on my way to AMS for the 400th birthday of Rembrandt, when we were delayed a bit due to the weather. We came to IAH about 15 minutes late, and pulled into C24 in the North C Terminal. We pulled all the way in, seatbelt sign was turned off, and everyone stood up to get off. The FA’s made an announcement that, due to the fact that there were a lot of people that had tight connections, that everyone that had a layover longer than 30 minutes to please stay seated and allow the others to get off. Well, keeping in mind that I’m an Indian and not a Chief, I followed instructions and kept to my seat. Well, the jetway came to the door, and then I notice the baggage dudes outside driving AWAY! HUH? Then the FA’s come onto the loud speaker to tell everyone that we’re at the wrong gate. So, everyone has to sit down, and then we move EXACTLY ONE GATE OVER to C25!! You should have heard like 50% of the plane MF Continental for this additional 10-minute delay! I had to laugh, but after seeing the ops center at the DO, I wonder who is in-charge of gate assignments at IAH? Is it the OPS Center? Or, is it someone in-place at IAH? Would it have been so bad to change the gate number on the information screen and/or make an announcement rather than go through the hassle of moving the plane?

Could have been a costly mistake if the resulting mis-connects required an overnight stay.