I’m little skeptical. Even before most airlines started charging for checked bags, they had first class board first, and then boarding groups by status. When

I’m little skeptical. Even before most airlines started charging for checked bags, they had first class board first, and then boarding groups by status. When checked bags were free, the overheads didn’t fill up very fast. Frankly if I’m at the lounge, I’d much rather stay there another 15 minutes than spend it in a metal tube at the gate. I think people want to board earlier because the airline says that earlier boarding denotes high status, and people love to be on top of a status game. It’s great to have the velvet rope open in front of you and be told you can go first. Unfortunately at the airport going first just means you get to sit in the tube longer.