As a continental flyer who recently just attained silver elite, I can say that it is great to be able to board at your leisure. I can go get some food, take my time, and when I am ready to board, just walk up to the elite line, wait about 5 seconds before the GA takes my boarding pass, and walk straight onto the plane. No fuss.

In fact it works quite flawlessly. I was thinking about switching to DL, but perhaps not anymore? If continental can make it work, why can't Delta?