Give the O/P a break folks. The main point of the story is that (as is so often the case) many pax brought more than their permitted allowance into the cabin and the gate personnel did nothing about it. It is not a crime to board last if you have allocated seats and in theory you should still have room for your cabin baggage.
OK, that's the theory - the reality is something else. My advice to you Chonchord, regardless of carrier, is never board a full (or nearly full) flight last.