Sorry to hear of your frustrating experience with the kiosks, and if this was on a CRJ or Saab, believe me, I know it feels like you should be able to just show up! I once showed up at the check-in counter (was making a connection from a late flight, so it wasn't totally my fault!) for a half-full CRJ on its last flight of the night, only about 20 minutes before takeoff... and made it!

But on the other hand, that's not a "risk" I'd want to take any more often than I absolutely had to. Whoever suggested on-line check-in is probably the winner in this thread - that would've been a real timesaver for you. ^