Why Is It So Difficult to Book a Flight? [RANT]

This summer, I will be attending a friend's wedding in Las Vegas. Yep, I'm headed to the ole Sin City. I'm not much of a gambler or a drinker and I'm pretty much entertained by watching CSI (yes, the Vegas one), so I'm not super excited about all the "shows" either but I do care about my friends so I'll make the trek out there.

Okay, so first thing's first. Gotta book my flight, right? WRONG! I just ran into more snags than a toddler on a fishing expedition. Okay, ready?

1. Look at all the surrounding cities to see what flight is the cheapest.
2. Cheapest flight departs at 5 p.m. and takes nine hours to get there. Wouldn't make it til the day after. Go back.
3. Okay, found a decent flight out at a good price. Now, throw return flight into the mix.
4. Do I want to leave my hotel room at 3 a.m. and get home at 5 p.m. or leave my hotel room at 9 a.m. and return home at 9 p.m.? Don't forget, I have a baby and have to work the next day. Hmmm...
5. Consult husband - he owns his own business and doesn't have to work the next day. Ignore his suggestion of the later flight.
6. Try to log on to frequent flyer miles account. Fail. Fail again. Fail third time. Locked out of account.
7. Call airline - put on hold for 30 minutes. Try to answer questions you set up five years ago. Try to remember address you had ten years ago in college. Fail.
8. "Steve" throws you a bone. Success!
9. Time out on the incredibly SLOW airline website. Start over.
10. Throw frequent flyer miles into the mix when booking. WHOLE NEW CAN OF WORMS.
11. Cry...
12. Must use special frequent flyer miles' flights. Find one you think will work.
13. Figure it out. Husband doesn't like the plan. Revise plan.
14. Figure it out. Not enough miles.
15. Cry...
16. Buy miles? Too expensive.
17. Call mom for miles. No one home.
18. Husband has account. No idea account info. Unsuccessfully answer his questions. Fail. Account locked.
19. Call "Steve" back. He doesn't remember you. No idea what his address was 10 years ago.
20. Cry... Give up.

So, why is this so difficult! It's not like I'm trying to order health care here, people. Just book a stinkin' flight!
21. Cough up the $1,000 from life savings to just book a flight and enjoy the Elvis wedding. Leave when I feel like it.