Why do they call it "preboarding" when, infact, it is the actual boarding?

Question

At age 8 in the late 70's and brother age 10, we were so dumb, we just sat there and waited for the actual boarding. They got mad at us because the preboarding really is the boarding. Our parent just dumped us off and told us to have a nice flight and met us at the gate on the other end. This could never happen to another dumb 8 year old nowadays, could it?

Answer 1

Yup that's right, preboarding is usually for those who's in the business class, traveling with a baby/children, or any passenger in need of special assistance.

Answer 2

Pre -boarding are for those passengers who needs extra time to go through the jet bridge and for those traveling with children and unaccompanied minors.

That's the reason why when you are at the gate always listen to announcement because right after gate agents say the pre-boarding, they will also explain what pre-boarding is and you need to pay attention when they  (we) do because most of them talk real fast and I don't know why..

It could, but it is their responsiblity to look for unaccompanied minors (age 2 to 12 years) because they pay extra for them and they are suppose to get the documents from parents and parents are not suppose to leave you at the gate before the plane leaves. Soon as they hand the papers to the gate agent, they will tell you when the parents or guardians are to leave the gate.

Answer 3

It's called, "pre-boarding" because it's for those in need of assistance and those who paid more. The rest of us have to wait until they call general boarding. So, for the majority of passengers it is, "pre" boarding.