Well a simple solution is that next time you're travelling on business choose a proper business airline, not a low cost carrier that claims it is. If you'd been on BA they'd have ground staff scouring the queues for people running late, and if you could make it to the gate with hand luggage before departure time you'd be on. I've had loads of runners arrive seconds before departure and still make it, and as BA has invested in radio loadsheet technology it doesn't mess up the paperwork whether you make it or not, so generally you're allowed to have a go. Plus we probably have a later flight than easy as well.
