Originally Posted by
RCyyz
Well, cynically speaking if you wait in the lounge, there's a chance you might consume lounge food / drink or grab a newspaper or magazine. This costs $$$.
If you wait at the gate, you can't do any of the above so the wait is free.

LOL sort of. Nothing is "free". If you are delayed waiting onboard or at the gate, it costs you/your employer/client lost time which may equal lost money. Really though, what's an extra muffin or coffee in the lounge in the grand scheme of things?