The Staff at HKIA are a special type who seem to have been briefed to be as unhelpful as possible. Whether it is the Airport or Cathay itself who do not allow us to stand by 'at the gate' I'm not sure. The inevitable rush to get to the gate before it actually closes is quite unnecessary but happens all the time. The stress with wife and kids is unbearable and totally avoidable too.
Hence my earlier comment that I would rather not go or pay full fare with someone else than subject my lot to that nonsense.
Also, when you do get a premium seat, they take great pleasure in scrawling 'N/L' on your boarding pass - meaning 'no lounge'! There we are, loyal, hard working Company people and we get N/L! Will we mess the place up or drink all their poxy champagne?? Go with BA - they treat Staff brilliantly. Shame on you Bob Nipp as you've been in charge of this rubbish for decades.