True Story:
I was standing by for a flight to Honolulu about 6 mos. ago.
(I am a 25+ UAL retiree)
And into the gate area walks Jerry L. Now Jerry is the most senior active employee in both CAL and UAL.
So Jerry comes over and starts talking to me and tells me he’s going to Honolulu as well.
Sitting not to distant is a nice lady who overhears our conversation, turns out she’s also an employee with 8 mos. seniority. But she wants to meet Jerry because he’s somewhat of a celebrity.
The nice lady is traveling with what appears to be the 3rd Battalion 8th Marines.
That day on that flight I got on the airplane ahead of Jerry.
The order of boarding was:
1. Me
2. Jerry
3. Nice Lady and 3/8.
Should I have got on that flight ahead of Jerry? No way in h---.

Today the order of boarding would be:
1. Jerry
2. Nice Lady and 3/8.
3. Me
Should I get on that flight after the Nice Lady and 3/8? No way in h---.

Note: Regardless of the nice lady’s seniority, UAL’s travel policy was; more than 1 companion, you go to the back of the line (we had no extended family).