I think the expectation that needs adjusting is that economy class travel, in 2015, is anywhere near as comfortable (or glamorous) as it was 30 or 40 years ago.
All of the issues you mention would, of course, be eliminated if you were flying business class. If you bought and used miles, or started your trip from Asia, your business class trip would have cost you little more than flying economy. This would mean no waiting in lines for airport toilets (you'd have a lounge), separate buses (with a seat!) if there was a bus to the plane, no waiting at the boarding gate for your plane to arrive (you'd be in the lounge). And with priority boarding, no one to slap you in the face with their papers!
Having airline status will help mitigate all of the above, but in the absence of that, paying just a little more for business class might be an option to consider in the future.