Upon arrival, I have come to a remote location about 95% of the time over the last 10 years when flying on UA. The main reason is, as stated above, they can't afford to block a gate when the plane will not depart for many hours. When arriving on LH, I have arrived at a gate about 75% of the time. (At least LH provides a bus to F/C pass).

Upon departure, I only have boarded a UA plane once at a remote location, and only once on LH, too. It reminds me of the days when I was a kid .... standing next to the plane, looking up the stairs, and seeing this behemoth in front of me. I still get the giggles today, at age 50!