No, not really. That thinking NEVER works. What ends up happening is: you stress out over traffic, check your navigation repeatedly in case the ETA changes miraculously, the METRO stop at the airport is 15 minutes away from your destination which is in a new wing of the airport and despite arriving sweaty and out of breath, the agent calls down to the gate to confirm that you indeed WILL NOT make the already boarded flight.
I am not sharing this story to get sympathy for my failed attempt at Flight 1078. I am writing to encourage you to not repeat my mistakes. BE ON TIME PEOPLE. We become annoying, inconsiderate morons when we are late. We inconvenience others with our desires for mercy at the office, parking lot, ticket counter, school drop-off, etc. Being late is disrespectful to others' time as well. The baggage handler at Reagan National should not have to run my one bag out to a flight that is already packed because I wanted to read my email before leaving the house. Whatever you have to do to get on the early/on--time team, a Get up earlier, put on your makeup on the train, pack the night before, set your clocks ahead 30 minutes (permanently), whatever works. You arrive looking calm, cool and collected with all of your swag intact when you care enough to prepare beforehand to be on time. I'm just saying.