Lots of gate checking bags, yes. Also: the last trip I took to CMH departed from the horrible gate D9F/G at LGA (see description in my thread about AA's nastiest gates). Involved a bus to the plane and no jetbridge. Return also involved deplaning via stairs and then walking across the apron to an open door and up some stairs. Perhaps the same gate but just parked much closer to it or maybe it was closer to the bottom of D pier.
CMH by contrast is a really civilized airport: spacious, desks for working, plugs for electronics on most if not all seats, quite comfortable chairs, clean, bright etc.