I have been switching it up lately as well. Going ATG gets me close and is a little faster. I normally went XTG, XTG, ATG on my cheeks and jawline. While going WTG, XTG, ATG on my neck. So far it seems to work a little better. A theory on why... (only a guess)
The lather is better as it is newer
The razor has just been stropped
The hair is a little bit longer to let the razor "catch" it.

My beard hair doesn't swirl but grows in multiple directions. I have found that when starting ATG, I can fly through the other passes. Before I would be slower on the other passes and ATG takes almost as much time.

The nice thing is that we can all find what works best for each of us.
Shave in good health