Quite a discussion recently in the UA forum on this, especially the discussion of the speediness of elite travelers. I think that those who fly a lot know how to board, stow and sit very quickly. The once-every-leap-year flyers tend to stop and try to see if their 35H seat is in J, juggle their duty free, carry-on-duffel and poodle carrier up the aisle, standing and blocking everyone while they dig out the knitting needles...

I am always either the first to board or the last to board, depending on whether or not I checked my roll aboard. I would hate to lose that benefit, and I know in UAL's case, they have no intention of cutting it.