People how have flown enough to earn "Elite" status - not sure whether Gold is included, but Plat and EXPlat - get to board with Group 1 before the rest of coach to give them a bit of extra time to settle, stow bags, etc. before the rush.

Lately, I have seen too many times when GA's have announced First Class, then after some time has passed, call, "Group 1 and all others" at the same time.

I have been lucky with upgrades recently and so have not been caught in the rush. But it is bad policy to treat people who are promised a few amenities for their volume of business in this fashion. I have people in coach board with the F passengers flashing their PLAT cards and being taken aboard - as they should be, IMO.