I think it's just that it's unpleasant time in comparison to all those other things, so it's more ripe for optimization. When I fly, I read or relax or run errands on the train or Uber, breeze through checkin due to not checking luggage, stroll through security and customs due to Global Entry, relax at the gate and do whatever I'd like, and am generally well-prepared to get some reading done or relax on the plane. The only parts of the process where I can't focus (or get lost in my thoughts) are checkin and security, which are already pretty tightly optimized.
By contrast, boarding and deplaning is a particularly uncomfortable form of hurry-up-and-wait, where your mind isn't your own because you need to keep one eye/ear on your surroundings, and you're standing with your luggage and shuffling forward at random intervals.
It's no surprise that people don't consider time spent boarding/deplaning the same as time (eg) at the gate, and that obvious inefficiencies are particularly rankling.
I tried to paint a vivid picture of the differences, but the truth is I don't personally mind boarding/deplaning too much, for some reason. I just understand where the focus comes from.
By contrast, boarding and deplaning is a particularly uncomfortable form of hurry-up-and-wait, where your mind isn't your own because you need to keep one eye/ear on your surroundings, and you're standing with your luggage and shuffling forward at random intervals.
It's no surprise that people don't consider time spent boarding/deplaning the same as time (eg) at the gate, and that obvious inefficiencies are particularly rankling.
I tried to paint a vivid picture of the differences, but the truth is I don't personally mind boarding/deplaning too much, for some reason. I just understand where the focus comes from.