I always try to connect the wires to the airport module when I can hold it in my hand. If its mounted its way too less space.
Also I need reading glasses and you always have those on your nose what has the wrong strength. And of course, exactly in that moment the old bones start to ache
Sometimes it was even so hard that I took off the CPU cage to get more space. I rebuilt plenty of Mac Pros so this is a 10 minutes action.
As I also built a load of 4,1 they got airport. And so the high number of antenna plugins came.
Maybe even more, if I count all those backplanes and cases I swapped.
BTW. I leave the airport cards plugged in the case whenever possible. Guess why ;-)
And if we talk electrons
Always push hard with the screwdriver when unscrew those little Philips screws of the Airport cards, they are made of soft material and if you dont push hard you have a hard time getting them off if the head is damaged. Never use the wrong tool size for them, n.e.v.e.r.