I find the DL and NW agents both are very aware of those approaching in the Breezeway/elite line.
Having these lines further from the scanner makes sense - the majority of the passengers are NOT medallion/elites. Therefore the GA doesn't need to reach over to the far lane more often than not to take the BP from the passenger, scan it, then reach back to give it to the pax. Granted, it is not a big deal but it does seem most logical the way they do it.
The passenger is highly unlikely to hand his boarding pass across several feet of empty space. He will take an extra step and hand it over.
I like the Breezeway, but I think they have it backwards.