Originally Posted by
Often1
Once upon a time, it was a privilege to board last. In the days before air carriers dolled up cabin names and it was "First" and "Economy" (other ranks), the aircraft was boarded and the F pax were then escorted from the lounge to the aircraft.
Now, it's been turned 180 degrees with people fighting each other to board first.
Not surprising that on routes which are heavy with business regulars that everybody qualifies. Needless to say, if everybody is special, nobody is special.
I do remember, when I was a girl, traveling the JFK-LHR route with my father. We were, in fact, boarded last, from some sort of lounge area, and taken directly to our seats. No fighting the crowds, back in the day.