Wiggy - I agree with you! I am not defending 'free seating'. I have often seen them all clag up the front rows and the only time I like that - is when they are also boarding at the back and I can skip round and pick anywhere in the rear two thirds of the a/c!!
The folks who want the front rows may well be hand luggage only but many have checked bags and sitting at the front ain't gonna make no never mind!!
One of the biggest problems with the Southwest boarding method (Groups A/B/C) or the EZY method (groups of 30) is when the gate staff ignore the people who queue jump because they cannot take the (unjustified) comments and bad behaviour of our fellow pax. I can sympathise but am highly irritated to see folks not being turned back or, last year at LGW, no further announcements made after first call and so people just went forward when they felt like it, turning into a scrum.
This problem has been discussed here on several occasions...
