not you my friend, not you.
The airline along with the airports are. Not on an individual basis, but collectively.
They're screwing with you too.
Here's a few basic truths, abreviated because I'm looking after two boys (2y and 5m) at the moment.
easy is repetative, repetative is easy.
variable processes are inefficient and inefficient processes vary.
efficiency = profit, inefficiency = loss
Based on those truisms.....
The airlines and the airports are ******* their Pax around. And probably more than any other industry anywere in the world (though I'd be interested to hear from others!).
A lot of it is revenue protection.
It is no wonder that 'new' airlines and airports can come along and be successful if they don't have the appalling process-baggage of an established airline or airport.