I agree. The problem with NW was their boarding system - F, elites, then "all aboard." So those non-elites in Y who wanted to be assured of overhead space for their carry ons crowded the boarding area. Heck, if I were a non-elite, I would do exactly the same thing.

But with DL's boarding process by zones, no need to crowd the gate area.

FYI I flew AA last week and was surprised on one of the four flights that they did the "all aboard" boarding call after F and elites. That is not normal for AA, at least from my experience. Boarding by rows or zones is much more civilized and avoids the gate crowding that existed with NW's process.