The couple of times I tried checking bag at curbside, it got lost so I stopped doing it. In any case, on about half my flights I have to go to the counter because I need the bag transfered to a commuter flight, else I'd never make the connection. (And the commuter airline ticket costs about 25% more if you buy it through the long-haul airline, which is the only way to get it into the reservation record.) Turned out that wasn't true this last time as the commuter flight departed over an hour late
I do pack quite carefully for TSA, because I have medicines I need to carry, some of which are liquids and I'm allergic to perfumed shampoo and so need to carry a fair bit with me, because it's hard to find in most small towns or 3rd world countries. That game alone is enough to get me onto a train. Occasionally there's a 1st class line for security but I haven't seen one now in over a year. Lines can take up to a half hour, especially if you don't know the airport well and thus don't know the tricks for avoiding the really backed up check-points.
As for the airport noise level, you and I must live on different planets, or maybe my ears just work better than yours.
I pretty much fly first class (non-refundable so it's really pretty cheap) so I get to board even before you. But unless you stand in line before they even call the flight, you have to push your way through a mass of people, none of whom appreciate being asked to step out of the way or shoved.
As for the flight itself, you didn't address the issue of screaming ads and movie previews, and seat backs in your face. (And that's in first class.) And I suspect you don't even interact with the flight attendants who hate their jobs because you're hiding in a window seat at tthe back of the plane and can go 4 hrs between bathroom breaks and stretching.
As for delays and cancellations, here's the summary for the year ending with Feb 2012
http://www.transtats...Cause1.asp?pn=1 . No way to tell how many of those delays resulted in missed connections. Maybe you're just luckier than I am, or maybe you can walk faster. Or maybe you're able to take only non-stops.
Someone else pointed out that the delay stats are actually based on gate to gate. Ok, though that still sounds like it doesn't account for time spent waiting for a jetway. I do get especially annoyed by the announcements by the flight crew that "Gee folks, we landed 5 minutes early." Then 3/4 hour later you finally start to deplane.
As for my just being a dumber traveler than you, I doubt it. I suspect you live a life in which getting across the country in 10 hrs (counting airport time) is important to you. I don't. And I'm finding more and more people whose expectations and experiences match mine, not yours.
I hope you continue to enjoy air travel but I suspect that in another year or two your attitude will pretty much match mine.