I'd rather sit at the airport and read there than risk missing my flight because there was a traffic delay or security had gone crazy because of a group of people that had not been on an airport lately and take forever through the lanes. Plus this way I can get back home and grab a forgotten item if I find out fast enough (done that both for my passport and for work related paperwork).
With most of my travel for business, buying a new ticket will mean paying from my own pocket AND probably loosing the return as well (and needing to pay it as well). Not a risk I would take.

At the end of the day everyone makes there own choices. As long as they do not ask me to go in front of me in security/checkin or telling me that their suitcase should go in the overhead because my backpack is smaller and fits under the seat and they were late to board, it's none of my business really so people can do as they wish.