I'm very confused....
My thought was always that the issue wasn't so much boarding first as it was making sure space was available in the O/H near your seat. The issue is worse for Row 1, as there tends to be less available space and there is no seat in front under which to stow a bag.
It appears others are more concerned about getting on the plane first and not so much about the luggage.
Wouldn't it work well if Row 1 and then the rest of FC could board, then go onto Zone 1, Zone 2, etc.? Other than the addition of the Row 1 and other FC boarding, nothing would need to change. Everyone in Zone 1 would be able to stow luggage. On most flights, so would Zone 2.
In that case, what difference would it make whether one was DM or GM, or what someone paid for a ticket. Is there something other than luggage space in the O/H that makes boarding first necessary?