The GA is responsible for getting the plane loaded and the door closed, so it is their call.

If you have a tight connection then you will have to make do with whatever state boarding is in when you get there, but in other cases it really is down to us as passengers to decide what is most important to us.

If you really want to be first to board then get there by T-45 for domestic flights and kick your heels at the gate for a few mins or so.

If that 10 mins is more important to you than boarding first feel free to turn up right at the printed boarding time and be prepared to be disappointed from time to time.