Ticket v/s Ticketless
 

Everyone should be given the same opportunity to check in on-line. Why should I be denined the chance to check in on-line after spending $2,000 on a vacation package, just because Southwest issued me actual paper tickets?

Because paper tickets are different than an e-ticket, and paper tickets require special handling. Paper tickets are like money, if you lose them, you are out of luck. The agents have to verify that they are in hand, and they usually staple the paper ticket to the boarding pass. ALL airlines deal with paper tickets at times, and NO airline allows check in online, or at a kiosk machine, if the passenger is traveling with paper tickets.