Thanks Mainfrog - we work for the same outfit and a month back I got "confidential"
(for some reason) info in which the closing and boarding times were redefined.
As it was marked confidential I won't go into detail but the main point was that unless there was a significant delay anyway, these restrictive gate closing times were to be respected - even if pax were still showing up.
Problem is that the pax very soon learn when they can check in late and expect it every time - with the results noted above. Even if the pax can be boarded 15 min. after checkin, the baggage will cause a delay. Maybe we didn't get the same info - wouldn't be the first time...