Also, consider that the line at these peak hours "snakes" its way back and forth in the terminal in an impromptu manner. Make sure you stand at the correct "end" of the line and not unintentionally jump the line. In case of the latter, one immediately catches a barrage of verbal abuse from fellow travelers who themselves are likewise stunned by the length of the line.

On the bright side: I have traveled through these "peak times", often for trans Atlantic flights leaving between 5 and 6pm, about 20 times in the last year. My wait has never been more than 40 minutes, even though it sure doesn't seem that way when you first stand in line !