Here's the biggest issue with EBCI....it's Early Bird Check In..,not early bird boarding. Yes, by getting EBCI you usually get a better spot for boarding, but that isn't the reason for it. And with so many people getting it nowadays, it makes the possibility of getting a mid-B group slot very possible!!! I've ended up with a B32 slot even when getting EBCI. But, I buy EBCI so that I don't have to hassle with checking in myself.
And that whole family boarding issue? I have no issue with those that board with just their immediate family. But there are plenty of families that board in this group without kids that are young enough to qualify, as well as with extended family. Drives me nutty. Same with the medical preboards....I can see one other person, possibly two if it's just the three of them, boarding with the medical preboard. But, the entire group of 10??? Yeah, no. I've seen them board, get the preboard person seated, with one other person beside them, then the rest head to the exit row seats!!! That shouldn't be allowed.
I like flying with SW and seldom have any issues. But, it would be nice if SW adhered to it's policies, all the time, and that policy didn't change depending on particular gate agents!!! And that whole seat saving issue? That needs to be changed. The whole 'we have no policy on saving seats, so any seat that is empty is available' is nuts!!! That just causes issues between passengers. One or two board early and saves entire rows with articles of clothing....and no one says a word.