I thought it was T-3h and got there for 2310 but found out that it had already opened. There were 15 pax for F and J check in and about 40-50 for normal check in.

Well annoying as there was one blocked seat (64A) - which BAEC said was not taken but blocked by FLY - on the 747 UD, which was taken by the guy ahead of me in the queue when he queried it. It was the only reason I got there early. I watched that seat go from blocked to occupied on EF while I was in the queue

I assume the reason this question gets asked and why there were so many people desperate to check in across all classes is because holiday makers don't have much to do that late and they choose to pick up bags from the hotel and head to the airport?