The problem with expecting an airline to skirt around their rules and ignore the stated policy of time to check a bag, is that where does it stop?
This is not a discussion of having to travel with your bag, this is in relation being mad that AA didn't want to break their time policy in regards to bags. There is a reason things like this exist, the policy is what it is at the airport for a reason, a good reason.
I am telling you from someone who used to deal with bags like this. Many of you don't understand or have never seen what all goes into it. Same goes for when people get mad that the door closed at 10min prior and they were there at 8min prior. They exist for a reason.
I am not saying circumstances can't ever be looked at, I am not saying it won't ever be done, but that doesn't mean it should be expected.