The only time I have seen it recently (and I've only flown 24 Segments this year, so I'm hardly a frequent flyer by the standards on this board) is when the plane has gotten to the gate earlier than expected. And if I recall, I sat on the ramp, no where near the gate because the gate wasn't available.

Really hard to complain when you get in early..even if you do sit there until the expected landing time..