I see pre-boarding more often in "kid friendly" cities like Kansas City and St. Louis. I see the opposite in New York and Chicago, where there is a general contempt for people who choose to fly with kids. On my flight LGA-ORD someone was letting their child pull their own bag down the aisle. One of the held-up passengers yelled from the front, "Just because you were an idiot and had children should not mean I have to suffer."

About 2/3 of the plane applauded.

In any case, there seems to be no rationale, in my mind, for pre-boarding of children. People can choose all sorts of things to do with their lives, and why is the any special treatment for those who choose to have children? Of course, pre-boarding could be a great business opportunity for some airlines. Lots of people do have children and might be excited to choose a kid-friendly airline, if that were offered.

I am just happy that airline is not AA.