I quit flying, too. I’m old enough to remember being able to arrive an hour before takeoff, buy a ticket, and climb aboard. Sad, those days are forever gone.
One could run down the concourse, jump the velvet line cables and get on board at THE last moment, ala OJ.
Or just schlep along in the Eastern Airlines Shuttle line until a seat was available at the gate. Pay on the plane. $13 off peak, $16 on Peak...