Re: RFTM
You can already check-in online and go directly to the gate area (with hand luggage).
Often you can't, with international flights departing from the US. This may depend on carrier and airport, but I haven't seen online check-in available for any of my international flights.
That said, it's not an issue for me, because I'm always checking baggage when I fly internationally (and for most domestic flights; I refuse to be one of those road-warrior types fighting over the luggage bins), and I fly out of a regional airport where the queues are typically no more than two or three long. Often I can walk right up to the desk, check in, walk over to TSA, hand over my luggage, and then go right through security with no wait at all.
Did I mention my airport also has ample seating, lots of electrical outlets available to passengers, and free wi-fi?
The food still isn't much good, but you can't have everything.