the entire system needs revamping.

First, if you need to buy a ticket at the airport, you go to a desk that does that and that alone. A bunch of third party ombudsmans are stationed there to handle all issues and they do so RIGHT THEN. They assure you that whatever problem you have is being handled exactly as you wish it to right away. There will always be errors and problems but they should be dealt with starting there.

Second, All luggage and check in should happen at huge, central, third party desk. Everyone working there reports TO which ever airline you are using, but they ALL speak the same speak and help the same way. If you have a complaint or issue, it is logged and everyone there can access its notes (so you dont have to re-explain yourself and re learn things at the next airline.)

Then your luggage gets directed to the arline being flown. This process would be very similar as to how it is right now when you fly back to the states from overseas and have to connect domestically. Various Airline agents should be along the sidelines to greet you and be all smiles and helpful.

Then, when you go to the gate to check in, the desk agents and station managers should do nothing but their job (get you seated on the dang planes!)

There should be an ombudsman at every desk to help with external problems customers have. That way, the station managers CAN focus of their jobs and not be so busy (which leads to screw ups we see all the time across the board.)

Luggage and systems would be streamline and standardized, and airlines could concentrate on two things:
Greeting you, and flying.

That is about all they are willing to do anyway, without fees.