Just got back from my trip, just wanted to agree with B747-437B. On a trip to Malaysia, both ways BHX and KL the silver skywards (my girlfriend) were put in with the online check in people in the lines. In both cases there were quite a few people in the lines already and no one in the business class line.

Even though I told them that as a Silver Member she was supposed to be able to check in in business class she was not allowed to. I wasnt happy as I had hoped to use this tactic to get to be first in the line to get extra leg room seats as I am very tall, so its a bit of a none existant benefit.

However it wasnt all bad as we were upgraded to Business Class for the Dubai BHX leg coming back so that made up for missing out on the exit row seats.