Originally Posted by Carolina2Cali

Low quantity of flyers early pandemic definitely affected crowds, but I still like to think that the main reason for gate crowding is so that they don't take your carryon away. I am sure there's a small handful who think they're all the Southwest system, or that if you board last you would be the first pulled off due to overselling, but the majority, it's gotta be about that carryon. Here's the thought process:

Night Before

• I don't want to waste $30 on something that used to be free
• I will sit here all night and try to plan out my outfits carefully and sacrifice not taking outfit X...
• I have now succesfully crammed everything into this tiny bag, yay!

Day Of Flight

• Seasoned traveler only: Yay! I have a carryon, I can be later than 45 minutes before my flight and not an issue, whew!
• Here I am with my bag in tow, lugged through security and shops, maybe it would have been worth paying but oh well, here we are...
• Remembers, hey, I won't have to wait at baggage claim for my luggage, this will save me 20 minutes, wahoo!

At Gate

• "Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a full flight, if anyone would like to gate check their bags now, bring them up"
  • No way am I doing that now... I got this far
• "Ladies and gents, we are very full, if you are in groups 6 or 7, identify yourself now, we will be coming around with bag tags..."
  • Oh hell nah, I better be the first one to board when group 6 is called, or maybe they won't notice if I board with the middle of Group 5...
  • Seasoned traveler: IFFFF they'll let me valet check this bag for planeside pickup and delivery, MAYBE
• Yay, I've made it onto the plane! Walks to back of plane, oh no, there's NO space? Crap. Now I have to fight my way back to the front and have them check my bag, or play shapeshifter for 20 minutes, or try and jam this thing under a seat, or open a bunch of closed doors with angry faces from the pax and FAs... justtttt in case.

This is why you have gate crowders, there can't be much other reason to board early that I can think of... heck even first doesn't get any pre-flight cocktail. This is likely why you also have questionable families with "small" children, and some persons requesting a wheelchair that don't use it once they get to the other side.

I will continue to advocate for the following solutions:

• Mandate gate agents physically log to a computer which boarding number is called with a very clear television monitor marking it as such, and do not allow exceptions except where truly need be... or even have the scanner beep if someone is too early.... and do not call up groups 1-4 within split seconds of one another.
• Make first checked bags FREE, or even first checked bags up to 30 lbs free, and then charge for carryons (not personal items) except for elite.