Personally, I don't see why the front photographer have to give way to other public since they have queue their place for so long, if the public willing to queue, that's fine, no photographers will complain about that. It will be very kind of them for them to give up the space after like half, one hour or more waiting time there.
Regarding ladder, indeed that may be able to improve, usually, if ladder photographers group together, then it will form a block and block much views of other from the back, but if they split a bit, then the view of the person won't be block as much.
But in real world, too bad, most people like the prime spot for direct shots. If possible I likw to have the prime spot and level view also.