Regarding no more airport check-in, I suppose what they want is to have to employ 0 staff in the front area. And I guess that's possible, as in, if you didn't print out your boarding pass in advance, you're screwed. But why not, out of some measure of at least appearing to be helpful, have an automated kiosk in the check-in area? I mean, if they want to have a (tolerably) more positive image, and not just completely trying to screw the customer?

I find the whole idea of a GBP 5 "online check-in" fee ridiculous. If it's mandatory, it should be in the ticket cost.