Originally Posted by
taupo
Their unofficial role seems to be to stroke the ego of the weak minded and vain.
This exactly and too much of it. All the people that want their SE bag tags hoping that they will be recognized and acknowledged in the boarding area for no apparent reason other than to feel somehow special. Those that expect that a Concierge should greet them with every arrival as they exit the jet bridge and escort them to their connection or to border control or baggage claim, again because they are 'special'.
I would expect the Concierge service would function a lot better if their time wasn't being taken up by those who want their ego stroked as opposed to those really needing urgent assistance.