I'd tend to disagree on this ... I think that you will find a mix of people on FT, just like overall.

Some of us like to play it safe, and spend some time enjoying a couple of drinks in the lounge (especially when flying coach). Others cut it fine ...

Just as an example, on one of my recent trips to ATL, heading home:
- Friday afternoon traffic on I-285, so slow down ...
- Long wait to check in my car at Avis
- Just missed the Avis shuttle ... wait 10-15 minutes
- Friday afternoon at ATL ... long lines at security, even for the elite lines (30-40 minutes wasted)

Got there with enough time for a couple of drinks, and finishing up some emails in the lounge ... stress level = 0 (whereas my colleague who left 1 hour later ran into the lounge ... just as our flight was starting to board ... no drink for him)

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer