We left, or attempted to leave yesterday. The check-in process is more modernized. We went to an AA kiosk, printed our luggage tags and boarding passes and walked to the AA luggage drop off counter. There are some new self service luggage drops but at the moment they are only being used by Spirit and Delta.

You then scan your boarding pass to get through to go upstairs to security. Under 75, shoes off, everything out of the pockets and all your stuff in bins, lap tops also out. They used a body scanner yesterday. The last step is to go to passport control where you scan your passport and look at a camera, glasses off, no hats, etc. You are then done.

As for timing, I did not check but even with the luggage we were at the gate around 1:00 after arriving sometime shortly after 12:00 so definitely less than an hour on a Friday.

As for why we didn't leave and AA 2478 is still sitting on the tarmac, that it another story to be continued later. Bottom line, trying again at 10:00 this morning.