I really don't think flying gets enough credit! Airlines should drive home the point that you don't have to be at the airport 5 hours before your flight and queue for 2 hours at each end etc. Focus on the fact that at most airports you can safely check in 20/30 minutes before and be out in less than 10 minutes at the other side.
But you do have to check in so early, so that you can be enticed to spend your hard earned cash on stuff you don't want / need in the shopping malls that are an integral part of all major airports today. Not only that but as you've had to get to the airport so early you'll need refreshment - and low and behold, the airport has got that one covered too - generally at exorbitant cost to the punter!
Oh for the "good old days" of flying in the 60s and 70s - things were so much simpler in those days! (I appreciate that some won't remember them, that's the benefit of being a "grumpy old man").