Most of the big rental companies (Avis, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, etc) let you do speedy checkin/out if you pre-populate some information like DL and CC# on their websites. If the "semi-frequent traveler" mentioned in the article hasn't signed up to skip the counter, he's probably not as seasoned as the article wants you to think.
For example when I rent with Avis, the app tells me what parking spot my car is in. I just get in, show my driver's license to the attendant on the way out (some make you show your DL before you get your key, but usually this is a chance to get a free upgrade), and off I go. At some locations you can just grab any car you want from the lot and drive off.
When I return the car, they're usually done printing my receipt before I've gotten my luggage out of the trunk.
For example when I rent with Avis, the app tells me what parking spot my car is in. I just get in, show my driver's license to the attendant on the way out (some make you show your DL before you get your key, but usually this is a chance to get a free upgrade), and off I go. At some locations you can just grab any car you want from the lot and drive off.
When I return the car, they're usually done printing my receipt before I've gotten my luggage out of the trunk.