ex dublin - "use of British Airways First and other oneworld first class check-in desks" is of limited value
there are no first check in desks at my local airport, for any of the alliances
as I am not UK based,i choose not to chase gold
I instead look at maintaining silver in BA and a level of status in one of the other alliances, giving me more flexibility ability who I fly with .
I guess it depends how 'short" of gold your natural flying would take you to decide if its worth chasing for limited additional benefits.