One has to ask.. has this been brought upon us passengers by most if not all airlines charging to check bags (elites in this case dont apply)
and for those like myself who never checks a bag, unless I am forced to by some over zealous agent at check in..
After all , everyone is going to the same place, and trying to get on board early can only mean we have space for our carry on.
Although my memory with age has well according to my wife, been missing for a while, I dont remember the mess in front of a gate for boarding prior to airlines charging for checked bags