Opposite View
I really appreciate early boarding. I get very angry with people turning up at last minute meaning we push back late. I would go so far as to invalidate the tickets of people who check luggage and then do not show up. At busy airports where there are likely lines for the runway(s) and congestion in the alley and around gates, my idea of an excellent flight is pushing back 5 minutes early. This is much better than the old AA practice of getting everyone to the gate and then sit there or stand for 20 minutes whilst the gate staff busily used their terminals and flight attendants and flight deck roll up late due to traffic on the 405. Earlier the better. An email will do, you do not need to call me. Good job American.