it seems that the discipline of following the boarding row numbers has gone out the window. the number of times i have seen everyone rush toward the gate when the groundstaff announces the preboarding is mindboggling. even worse, the "out of order" pax are processed anyway. i think a (figurative) slap on the wrist and a trip to the back of the queue for anyone trying to board out of order would help epople focus.
the spatial awareness comments are also extremely valid. even among regular travellers. but sometimes the actions of non frequent travellers are the most frustrating...at all points of the process. i remember tyler brule, columnist in the ft, did a fantastic tongue in cheek article suggesting that infrequent travellers should be forced to wear yellow or orange vests (like construction workers do) to identify them as clueless so they could receive extra help.
classic!