Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

If you can manage with just carry on, you could go to the AmEx lounge as early as you want,, assuming that you can do OLCI to get through TSA security. You could even take a "carry on" bag with you to the lounge and then to land side at T-4 to check the bag with AA if you don't want to actually carry it on board. Some airlines will also gate check bags upon request, but I'm not sure about AA if there's enough bin space on the flight.