personally I hate getting fussed over...i actually prefer going on my own either on transit or through immigration and security. It's not really a big issue, sometimes I need to wait a little longer than usual but it's not something I really have a problem with.

About boarding, there was one time I was the second or third in line on the F queue, when I got pulled aside by the ground staff and taken to the front of the line and she just told the older couple in front that I'm a First Class passenger (which I guess for her trumps their EXP status). I was kinda surprised it happened, and I actually didn't like it.