The funny thing is that at Comair, we are trying to circumvent the new ruling. According to the latest internal memo, we may need to sit with pax on the airplane with the door open (hence not being out and the 3 hour clock not started) when the gate is congested.
So, pax are going to be stuck on airplanes for 4+ hours, but having it not count for the 3 hour rule. Just another example of the government having a knee jerk reaction, and having the companies try and circumvent the policy.