I for one appreciate the call to gate because I can sit anywhere I want or stroll around and still clearly hear all the announcements I need.
I don't understand people's necessity to sit 10 feet from the gate or be the first one to stand waiting for the boarding call even though they are last to board most times. (It always puzzles me to see people frantically stand up and form a pre-line line when the first class boarding is announced)
Are people really that scared they'll miss the flight? Or do they forget we all have seat assignments and we'll all get on.