With some carriers and locations, it does not matter at all if you have an allocated seat or not. In fact even when they say they are boarding first from say row 16 onwards on medium haul aircraft - no one really pays attention. Take Iberia - I have just had 4 sectors with them AGP-MAD-MUC-MAD-AGP. At Madrid last night they were queing to board before the staff were at the gate!!!
This happens at Malaga a lot with Iberia - mind you its not as if the staff with this airline are up to much in dealing with boarding.
So while I also dont really like Easy Jets free for all - I guess my point is - even with seat allocation - boarding is a nause!
Nivsy