I'd argue that boarding times are generally irrelevant, despite being annoying. If you walk up to the gate a minute before they close it, you'll walk right on.

I'd argue that boarding times are generally irrelevant, despite being annoying. If you walk up to the gate a minute before they close it, you'll walk right on. So waiting in that long line for slow boarding is essentially a choice. Except for Southwest, since they don't have assigned seats.