Getting on a flight seems to be so inefficient. I can understand allowing first class on first and their platinum class/silverstar/etc members. They are loyal members and allowing the few individuals who meet this criteria on first seems fine since it is only a small group of individuals. But then there is a total breakdown in the system.
First, they do it by group. But whatever group you may be doesn't really have any bearing on where you sit. In addition, everyone clumps up near the counter. Then before everyone on the flight has stowed their luggage, they call the next group, which leads to people being stuck in the jet bridge. If there was an emergency in the jet bridge that didn't allow people to travel back to the terminal, it would seem so much worse compared to having most people in the terminal or airplane already.
My question is, why do airports and airline companies do this? Have there been studies that show this method is superior to doing it by row? My assumption would be filling the plane from the back to front would be the best method. This way there is no delay for passengers to be seated quickly. Everyone in the back is putting their bags away which doesn't hinder others from getting to their seat, since people getting on would always be farther forward then those who have already boarded. And it would prevent people from clumping around the terminal door.