Yes and no, it depends which airport you’re at and when you arrive at the gate. Eg I was at Gatwick yesterday and breezed up to the front of the gate queue and there were no SBs ahead of me, but still around 100 regular punters behind. Straight through, no queuing, and I then took a seat. I then...
Some of the abuse airport staff and aircrew get is astonishing. It’s usually accusations (well, lies) of being rude or on a power trip. I have intervened a couple of times to politely state I am witnessing the issue and the aircrew have been fine.
Its not about being at the front of the queue though, priority boarding is about not having to bother to queue period. And not having a debate because you have a man-bag and an overnight bag has obvious benefits.