This isn't "new", it's always been in the CAL FOM. Look under "reporting for duty". It's been there since I was hired.

On the 757/767/777, I always met the crew ahead of time. Actually, a few times on the 777, the CA would call scheduling on me asking where I was. Yea, It was still three hours to departure time. I'm still at home! Show time is show time, don't give an extra minute- unpaid minute/no duty credit! I don't need more than 5-10 minutes to do a plotting chart anyway.

On the 737 it may happen, it may not. I've had dead head legs to IAD to start pairings without the FO. Often I have 10 minutes from arrival to departure, so meeting someone from another base covering IAD 737 flying is a little different. No way to meet until departure time. not ideal, but since the 737 isn't allowed to have a base in certain hubs, that's the way it goes.

Normally, the CA's I have flown with (737) do NOT meet in the FPA. You were lucky if they showed up to the plane 15 prior. I normally printed out my own paperwork and got the plane ready. As a CA, I go to the nearest FPA to my gate and get my paperwork. No, I don't need a seat or table; the stand up areas are just fine. I don't need to sit before a long flight. If I meet the FO there, great. If not, I'll head to the plane. I have noticed the FO's are less engaged in the paperwork on the 737 than the other aircraft. That is mostly due to the type of flying: long ETOPS vs domestic/North America.

It's not a big deal either way. We all know our jobs.