I came across a great article from USA Today about how travel in this last decade had changed. Why? Because of technology and terrorism. The article will speak for itself but I wanted to add my 2 cents worth of experience as well.
Remember (for you older folks) when you could wait at a gate for a departing flight and if there were any seats available, get on as a 'Stand-By' for a great fare? I recall flying several times to L.A. in the early 70's (on PSA - Pacific Southwest Air which is now just Southwest) for $25. Those days are gone because now you can't get past security without a ticket and airlines don't issue standby seats anymore.
I used to take my skis and bags to the airport the night before a flight and leaving them in a locker for $1 so I didn't have to schlep them with me on the shuttle the following days. That too is now gone because you can't leave luggage in lockers anymore and the rare baggage storage services are only in the international terminal in San Francisco and cost about $25 per bag now.
You could enter and exit the boarding areas at will also as well as wait for friends or loved ones at the gates. Those days too are gone as without a ticket or special pass, you can't get through security without a boarding pass.
In the end, we are far safer and glad of it but it is fun to "remember when" once in a while.
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