1) I fly from Philly--it used to have a nicer international lounge, but it's a wash now. That said I'd rather be here than CLT because if things go wrong there are a lot more international options in the area.
2) CLT is like 20 min from Charlotte, PHL is a 30 min train ride from Center City
3) Not at all--you need to check your plane. A330 good, 757 bad. Others can chime in on the other planes, I usually fly BA Int'l.