DCA groundstaff: Superb effort!
 

I gather most folks on this forum are from 'back home' in Blighty. Anyways, here's an experience from DCA (Washington Reagan) last night.

Myself & the missus arrived on US2199, due to arrive at 18:41. Actual arrival time was 19:21. We were due out at 19:30 on US1255 but didn't rate our chances.

We were met at the gate by a customer service agent and a baggage handler, who keenly boarded us onto US1255. At 19:27 it pushed back - with our checked bags in the hold.

Sterling work by the team at DCA. I doubt any of them will read this (so I emailed the airline), but thought I'd share the story. It might even be a record... ;)