ESpen36 - this is not unique to AA or the US. This is standard practice everywhere in the world, and yet BA, CX. EK and others manage to allow international check in without problems.

They require you to stop at the TA for a swipe of the passport and verification of documents prior to going through security but they still allow you to complete most of the formalities through online check in.

It's something that's extremely vexing about the AA checkin - here's hoping they fix it soon.