I don't pretend to know all the work crew has to go through prior boarding a flight, e.g., briefing, cabin check, etc, nor do I pretend to know the various regulations that may constaint the time spent in airports, e.g., working hours vs rest periods.

However, it does sound to me the process hasn't been thought through properly, or the world is quite different from what it was when the process was first drawn up, as customer experience seems to be the first in the queue (pardon the pun) to get cut.

I won't ask someone to explain the minute details of what a crew has to go through from stepping inside the airport to the plane, as it may represent a security risk. I do ask whoever design these processes to think outside the square a bit, rather than just do it this way because that's how we've always done it. E.g., why can't security be the first thing you go through when arriving at the airport, and time doesn't start until after security? (as a very simplistic view). Many Asian airports require you to go through security multiple times before you even see the gate. Yes, that may mean you do your briefing and whatever else air-side (or at least after security), but so be it.