Sorry, I haven't read all 40+ pages of this thread, but... I agree, this is one of the more frustrating aspects of the game.

Does this seem to be worse in Patch 7 than 6 to anyone else but me?

Climbing seems to be the worst. I'll have 4 characters chained, click on a ladder, and the results are often ridiculous. Characters climbing up and down multiple times over each other.

Chaining characters in stealth mode seems spotty at best, with some following some of the time, but not at others.

During normal movement the party seems to follow very slowly.

I would prefer the older method of setting a party configuration/marching order and them moving in lock step.