I don't really understand the logic of this, if they rope off the general boarding lane then people start congregating and forming a queue in the priority lane, so then when priority boarding is called they either have to send all the non-priority and non-status people away?
I don't really have a problem with it. It allows the priority passengers to be processed through both scanners at the start of boarding and stops the general passengers from sneaking through early. People congregate around the gate lounge anyway and there is nothing stopping them lining up in the general lane, the rope stops them from trying to board before the general boarding call.
The other theme seems to be at airports and gates without sufficient room and space in departures areas i.e. HBA, TSV, OOL etc people pretty much expect priority boarding to fail.
I do agree with you here. I would add though that the Gold Coast have been much improved on my flights through there this year. Quite strict with priority first, and the new gate holding areas seem to help space wise.
On the whole, I agree with
@flyingfan, they have reverted back to the old way of boarding priority first. Obviously some slip ups are still happening, but it's much better than when they were experimenting with that simultaneous priority/general nonsense.
So, perhaps you mean that a personal announcement from the in-flight cabin leader over the PA, is more effective than a pre-recorded PA announcement?
They've started doing this. On full flights, in addition to the pre-recorded announcement which does exactly what
@MEL_Traveller is suggesting, the CMs have a spiel to read out that stresses it's a full flight and to properly stow cabin baggage, specifically about stowing backpacks, handbags, jackets and laptops under the seat.
There is no clear instruction to please be seated as quickly as possible, to step out of the aisles, and to not block aisles?
"To keep the aisles and exits clear, your smaller bags go under the seat in front of you.... larger bags can go in the lockers.... once they’re put away, take your allocated seat...." Agree with you that spoken announcements help, but the pre-recorded ones are already clear in their messaging.