pilothouse,
I (I suspect) am the same as you - a long term Capt that does a few other bits and bobs. I just get to see the operation rather than change it...
My point about "once a year" is that it will take time for pax to realise that there is no need to queue. I don't think that any airline exploits the queue, but in order to avoid delay we (like others) are keen on getting our ground handlers to be "efficient" with pax handling. Obviously the goal is to have the pax near to the a/c and ready to get on just a few seconds before the crew are ready.
However, you are absolutely correct about the quality of the ground staff contractors. In some stations it works very well, in others there is a lot to be done. My heart sinks when we arrive on a bussing stand in a hot destination only to see the outbound pax already sitting on a bus waiting.
We have done much to improve the product inside the a/c doors; we are all now working on the ground handling. It will get better!