Normally 4 hours in the US. In much of Europe it is 2 hours before, and there is no one at the check-in desk earlier than that.

Fortunately in London that does not seem to be the case, and I have checked in over 4 hours before on a number of occasions.
Thank you!
So since my Check In is in Houston and there's always someone in the counter, will my chances be better to CI at 5 hours or 6 hours prior?
I'll be traveling C.
Thanks!