Good morning, Old Hickory.
According to the news, yes. The Big-A and others are now $25 and up for the first bag. Travelers who have the luxury of prior planning for a trip, can beat that price using UPS ground and have the bag waiting at their destination hotel. Returning is just as good if they don't need the bag immediately upon return home.

A reporter stated that charges for carry-on bags are being considered by the airlines. And, she said that lost luggage and pilferage out of bags remains just as much a problem. Use of UPS,Fedex, DHL, Airborne, etc, can reduce or eliminate that.

The construction of UPS-stores in a lot of places makes drop off much easier than when this message thread was first posted.

I doubt if it will be cost-effective to install UPS/Fedex baggage counters in airport lobbies for the same reason that many US airport authorities are running rental car companies off the property with high fees.

UPS, Fedex, DHL, Airborne should probably promote the efficiencies and economies of their services for baggage, now that they have a significant price advantage (except for WN) over most US airlines. Receipt of a bag at the hotel desk vs. waiting at the baggage claim has obvious advantages.