I wonder if this has some relation to the e-mail I got from AA yesterday assuring me that the new checked baggage rules don't apply to me, because of my status, & that I would still enjoy priority boarding which would 'provide ample time to locate available space for your carry-on luggage, settle in and attend to business well before takeoff.' Only way to ensure all of that is to enforce the group boarding rules, even if the GA makes up new ones on the spot.